Six people, including five adults and one juvenile, were arrested in Phoenix after a State Gang Task Force operation that turned up an AR-15 rifle with a drum-style magazine and roughly 4.4 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder, according to state officials. The group faces felony counts that include possession of a narcotic drug for sale as detectives continue sorting through evidence.
Six Suspects Arrested in State Gang Task Force Operation in Phoenix — The arrests followed an ongoing investigation into suspected drug trafficking. Read our news release: https://t.co/n97T5g93Yq https://t.co/zfflNEE8jf
— Dept. of Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) Apr 3, 2026
Agency release: Arrests and seizures
According to Arizona Department of Public Safety, State Gang Task Force detectives arrested the six suspects on March 12 during an investigation into suspected drug trafficking near Camelback Road and 35th Avenue. The agency says five of the adults are documented transnational gang members and that detectives seized the rifle along with about 4.4 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder. The suspects face state-level charges that include possession of a narcotic drug for sale.
Fentanyl surge puts seizures in context
The bust lands as Phoenix continues to struggle with rising fentanyl overdoses and a shifting drug supply, with more powder surfacing on Valley streets, as reported by Phoenix New Times. That reporting, citing DEA data, notes a sharp jump in fentanyl powder seizures between 2024 and 2025, a trend law enforcement officials say helps explain the aggressive task force activity playing out across the region.
Charges, process and how to report tips
Per the same release, the suspects face state counts that include possession of a narcotic drug for sale and related offenses. Investigators also recovered an AR-15 rifle equipped with a drum magazine. One arrestee is a juvenile and will move through juvenile court procedures, while the adults head into the Maricopa County criminal justice pipeline.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is asking anyone with information to contact its Public Affairs Unit or call the agency switchboard at (602) 223-2000, according to Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Investigators say the probe is ongoing and that additional details, including formal charging documents or court dates, were not immediately available. We will be watching court records and local filings for updates as the cases move forward.
