MCSO makes drug arrests in Anthem Country Club

STAFF REPORT~ 1/11/2012

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office arrested a pair of Anthem Country Club residents and seized more than $800,000 in cash along with two vehicles from a home on Prestancia Court on Jan. 3.
The arrests came as part of an investigation concerning drug trafficking that could have been responsible for the distribution of thousands of pounds of marijuana throughout Maricopa County.
Laura Behnke and Christian Vivola were arrested during a raid that included members of the SWAT team. Behnke and Vivola have both been charged with Conspiracy to possess Marijuana for Sale.
“Our investigations display a growing trend of drug trafficking within Maricopa County, after search warrants were served at the suspect’s home; it appears that they may have been part of a larger money laundering organization. It seems to be more common for these drug smugglers to bring drugs in from our southern border and then ship them across the United States,” Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
In the past few months Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputies have seized more than six tons of drugs during investigations within Maricopa County.