On Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 9:20 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy stopped a vehicle westbound along Interstate-8 near milepost 175 for numerous traffic violations. The sole occupant of the vehicle was the driver. The driver was later identified as Hector Torres Adorno (age 41 of Tucson).

Hector was extremely nervous and a strong odor of marijuana was coming from inside of the vehicle. The deputy could see in plain sight a blue blanket covering what appeared to be several packaged bundles. The area along Interstate-8 is known as a major drug smuggling corridor. The driver failed to provide the deputy with any information regarding to whom the vehicle belonged too when asked or why it smelled so heavily of marijuana.

The deputy looked under the blanket, and observed five packaged bundles of marijuana. The marijuana was seized and placed into PCSO Evidence. The marijuana weighed 110 pounds with a street value of $77,000. Hector declined to speak with investigators about the marijuana. The 2005 Buick Rendezvous SUV was also seized.

Hector Torres Adorno was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana. During his initial appearance, his bond was set by a judge at $50,000. On October 21st, his bond was posted and he was turned over to the custody of ICE.

It was later determined that Hector has been using fake Social Security Numbers and in fact has been deported from the United States seven prior times.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Those involved with drug and human smuggling attempt to push their loads through Pinal County so they can be distributed throughout the United States. Last year our office led a multi-agency operation which dealt a death blow to a multi-billion dollar drug ring during Operation Pipeline Express. The investigation was the largest drug bust in state history against the drug cartels. We will continue to seek out those involved with this type of illegal activity and put them behind bars.”