Prosecutors are seeking to dismiss drug charges against three former Maricopa County Sheriff’s officers, who are accused of being part of a cartel-connected drug smuggling ring.

The dismissal request is in response to the recent discovery that a wiretap application was never actually filed with the court. Prosecutors asked a judge to throw out charges against the three former officers and three others, including the alleged ring's leader. They also are seeking to void the convictions of 11 others who have already pleaded guilty to drug charges in the case.

The case has served as an embarrassment to Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office since the three employees were arrested in 2011.