A single traffic stop in Goodyear led police to more than $300,000 worth of illegal drugs and several items of stolen law enforcement gear, including a weapon.
Lisa Berry with the Goodyear Police Department said investigators discovered the stash after an officer, during a traffic stop on Aug. 9, discovered a passenger carrying a couple grams of marijuana.
That prompted a full search of the car, followed by a search of the suspect’s Glendale home.
“They found more drugs, meth and coke, as well as stolen property from an MCSO deputy,” Berry said, “which included a vest (and) an AR-15.”
Police booked 23-year-old Diego Diaz Gamez on conspiracy, theft, drug trafficking, and money laundering charges.
Requests for comment by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office have not been returned.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of the quote from Lisa Berry stated a vest, an AR-15 and a shotgun were found. Goodyear Police has since corrected the statement to say only the vest and AR-15 were found, and there was not a second weapon.