(CNN) -- Three Arizona law enforcement officers arrested on suspicion of aiding human traffickers and drug smugglers allegedly had close ties to a member of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, court documents say, a Mexican narcotics gang that operates along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Marcella Hernandez, one of the officers arrested Tuesday, is allegedly pregnant with the child of Francisco Arce Torres, the leader of a local chapter of a drug trafficking ring that operates in Arizona's Maricopa County, according to a probable cause statement.
The 27 year-old officer is suspected of allowing Torres to use two of her residences as "stash houses for narcotics and illegal drugs proceeds," the statement said.
Authorities say they discovered approximately $16,000 in her purse when she was arrested.
Detention officer Sylvia Rios-Najera is also suspected of conspiring with both Torres and Deputy officer Alfredo Navarrette, who had been a member of a law enforcement unit targeting human smuggling.
The group endeavoured to launder money from the sale of heroin produced on a ranch in Mexico through front companies in Arizona.
Navarrette, 37, allegedly placed security cameras around Torres' home and offered to sell assault rifles and provide tips from the National Crime Information Center to members of the cartel.
The group allegedly helped transport approximately $56,000 worth of heroin per week, the statement said.
Navarrette faces felony charges connected to human smuggling, money laundering and participating in a crime syndicate, according to police.
The three officers -- all accused of conspiring in the smuggling ring -- worked for Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County's Sheriff known for his tough stance on illegal immigration.
CNN was not immediately able to reach defense attorneys for the three individuals regarding those accusations.
The group is among 12 people arrested in the Tuesday operation, which included Torres, who was charged with managing an organized crime syndicate, money laundering and illegal narcotics possession and sales.
Arpaio, the self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff" in America, called the alleged acts "despicable."
"We're also looking at other officers that could be involved," he said. "The investigation has not been completed."
Arpaio has drawn national attention for housing many of his prisoners in tents and forcing them to wear pink underwear, but he is also facing a Justice Department investigation into whether his policies discriminate against Hispanics.
CNN's Matt Smith contributed to this report.
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