SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Scottsdale Police arrested a man from Mexico on Thursday who they believe has been trafficking fentanyl, an addictive narcotic, into the Phoenix area since at least early June, court documents said.
According to the probable cause statement, Scottsdale PD said it first began surveillance on Hugo Enriquez Rodriguez, 20, on June 5 after spotting him drive into the Ranch Market parking lot in Phoenix in a Volkswagen Jetta with Mexico plates. Investigators watched a male subject enter Rodriguez's car and get out 30 seconds later.
Investigators made contact with the alleged drug customer and found him in possession of 100 fentanyl tablets. The suspect claimed the drugs were not his and would not provide more information.
Just days later on June 11, investigators followed Rodriguez to the Desert Sky Mall and saw another alleged customer enter his vehicle and leave two minutes later. The customer went in and out of the mall and got in a car driven by a third party.
Investigators followed and saw the customer and third party drive to a Phoenix gas station and meet briefly with a fourth party before leaving the gas station.
Investigators stopped the third party vehicle, arrested the driver on outstanding warrant and found 10 fentanyl tablets inside the vehicle. The driver told investigators the alleged customer directed the driver to the gas station where he sold narcotics to the fourth party.
The alleged customer was also found with $2,000 cash, believed to be from dealing narcotics at the gas station that were originally purchased from Rodriguez.
On Thursday, investigators located and arrested Rodriguez, who refused to speak without a lawyer present.
Investigators are asking he be held on cash bond of no less than $50,000 for fear he may destroy evidence, flee to Mexico and continue to traffic illegal narcotics.
Rodriguez is charged with 10 counts of drug offenses involving possession, sale, conspiracy and money laundering.
