A Texas man, who is part of a human smuggling ring, was arrested in Yavapai County this week for human smuggling.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), on March 30 at 9:30 a.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for two civil traffic violations along I-40 outside of Ash Fork. During the stop, the YCSO deputy became suspicious of the behavior of the two people in the vehicle and asked for consent to search the car.
The occupants agreed, and items suggesting criminal activity were found in a small duffle bag. The deputy questioned the driver, Jose Gallardo Ortiz, who admitted to being employed by a human smuggling ring and was on his way from California to Texas to meet the employers.
Gallardo Ortiz, age 39 from Mesquite, Texas, was arrested for conspiracy to commit human smuggling and money laundering and is currently confined in the Yavapai County jail.
“The YCSO K9 units have had tremendous success this week in stopping dangerous drugs and criminals from making their way to other communities through ours” said Sheriff David Rhodes. “By using their knowledge and training, our deputies are keeping not only our residents safe, but also those in the communities where these offenders were headed.”