Illegal Alien Arrested for Smuggling Drugs in Arizona Has Been Deported 11 Times Before

FLORENCE, Ariz. (TheBlaze/AP) -- Authorities along the Arizona border say a man accused of driving a car carrying 220 pounds of marijuana had been deported to Mexico 11 times.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says 21year-old Daniel Jupa-Fino was arrested Tuesday after he ran from the car after a deputy made a traffic stop on Interstate 8.

Daniel Jupa-Fino, left, and his accomplice, Felipe Gonzalez-Tempura, who were arrested on drug smuggling charges. Jupa-Fino has been deported 11 times before. (Source: Pinal County Sheriffs Dept.)

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Both men fled on foot into a nearby trailer park following the initial stop, authorities said. Gonzalez-Tempura, who was injured while trying to climb over barbwire fencing, was taken into custody a short time later, but Jupa-Fino eluded responding authorities.

Hours later, a resident reported a suspicious person at a nearby truck stop and workers there said the individual had told them deputies were looking for him because he had recently fled a traffic stop.

Jupa-Fino was immediately recognized as the driver of the vehicle, which was packed with roughly 220 pounds of marijuana with a street value of more than $165,000, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

The agency says it later learned from federal authorities that Jupa-Fino had been deported 11 prior times during the past three years for illegal entry into the United States.

He's jailed in Florence on charges of possession and transportation of marijuana.

A second man, Felipe Gonzalez-Tempura, who was a passenger in the car also was arrested on marijuana charges.

“Meanwhile, the Obama administration and Gang of 8 is making plans for green cards and a path to citizenship for 11-20 million illegals,” Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “We must enforce the law and secure the border prior to any discussion of immigration reform.”