arizona news
Has been updated: December 15, 2022 at 9:01 AM
Fredy Benjamin Medrano-Erenas (Photo courtesy of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
PHOENIX – An alleged mastermind of a West Valley drug cartel was arrested and more than $600,000 worth of contraband was seized this week following a months-long investigation, officials said Wednesday.
Freddy Benjamin Medrano Elenas, 19, of Torreson has been jailed on several charges related to drug and money laundering, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Medrano-Erenas was arrested Monday at his home near Lower Buckeye Road and 91st Avenue.
After executing the search warrant, members of the county’s Drug Suppression Task Force and other agencies found 72,000 fentanyl pills worth $360,000 and black market THC products in the home.
Authorities said they also seized 12 handguns, two rifles, $124,544 in cash and $10,000 worth of jewelry.
Besides the pills, investigators found 748 grams of cocaine worth $25,000. 5,995 grams of THC cannabis worth $120,000. 3,320 grams of premium marijuana flowers worth $14,000 and 339 THC vape cartridges worth $6,800.
The MCSO said Medrano-Erenas used social media to sell pills, black market THC products and guns.
Detectives said they determined that Medrano Elenas was the source of the pills after investigating the group of suspects for months and arresting several others.
No suspect was identified.
In a press release, Sheriff Paul Penzone said, “We remain committed to protecting the youth of our community through agency collaboration and good teamwork.
“MCSO will continue to investigate and actively pursue criminals who threaten the safety of our community.”
