‘Rip crew’ arrested for attempting to rob smugglers

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested four men on suspicion of attempting to rob random marijuana smugglers.

Sheriff’s deputies were performing a narcotics interdiction when the suspects, often referred to as “rip crews,” were found in the desert east of Gila Bend.

While in custody, the suspects confessed their plan to rob the smugglers at gunpoint and later sell the drugs in Phoenix. The investigation is still ongoing.