Mother, sons' involvement suspected in large drug smuggling ring

An Arizona mom and her eight sons are suspected to be involved in a heroin and cocaine smuggling operation.

Chandler police said the mother, Grace Valencia Lara, and her sons were allegedly selling the drugs in the city as part of a larger ring with possible ties to Mexican cartels, MyFoxPhoenix reports.

After receiving a call to the Valencia Lara’s house for domestic violence and other crimes, authorities found 30 pounds of heroin, cocaine, and a small amount of marijuana estimated to be worth $1.75 million.

An investigation into the operation resulted in at least 40 arrests -- including six of the brothers --stemming from drug and gang-related charges.

Other suspects in the ring were smuggling drugs into state prisons, police told MyFoxPhoenix.com