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Marijuana seized, smuggler arrested

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PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - A pursuit and crash in the desert lead deputies to 280 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of a man.
 
Mark Clark, Public Information Officer with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office says that deputies spotted a silver Ford SUV on Papago Road, just south of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
 
A deputy attempted to stop the driver for a civil traffic violation, but the driver fled at speeds up to 70 mph, until he crashed into a clump of trees north of W. Jean Dr. and N. Glyde Dr.
 
The smuggler fled on foot and was apprehended about 1/2 mile north by an Ak-Chin police officer assisting the PCSO deputy, said Clark.
 
The smuggler has been identified as Guadalupe Acosta-Gutierrez, 22, from Sinaloa, Mexico.
 
The Ford SUV was found to contain 20 bales of marijuana, valued at $140,000, said Clark.
 
Acosta-Gutierrez was arrested and booked into Pinal County Jail. He is being held, pending charges of drug smuggling and felony flight.