DPS seizes over $1.6 million in U.S. currency and $7.1 million worth of illegal drugs in September

Several traffic stops by Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers along with the efforts of DPS criminal investigators resulted in DPS seizing $1,632,732 in U.S. currency during the month of September. The currency is tied to Mexican drug cartels, drug distribution, money laundering, and gang activity.

DPS also seized a total of 10,678 pounds of marijuana during the month of September and current street values put the amount of marijuana seized at $5,872,900. Furthermore, DPS officers seized 41 kilograms (92 pounds) of cocaine in September worth approximately $1,148,000. In addition, DPS seized 5.6 pounds of methamphetamine in September with a street value of $106,400. The total value of the illicit drugs seized by DPS in September is over $7.1 million. DPS officers also seized 68 vehicles from drug smugglers in September.

On other fronts, DPS Highway Patrol officers and criminal investigators assigned to the Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) recovered 198 stolen vehicles during September. The combined value of the recovered property is over $2.5 million. The VTTF also investigated and dismantled two chop shops during September.

The following are summaries of two random traffic stops made by DPS Highway Patrol officers during September which turned into significant drug and cash seizures:

On Sept. 16, 2009, at 7:38 p.m., an officer with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) stopped a white 2000 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck for a traffic violation westbound on Interstate 10 just east of Quartzite. The officer noticed signs and indicators of criminal activity and obtained consent to search the vehicle. The subsequent search and canine alert of the vehicle revealed 25 packages of cocaine inside of a hidden compartment in the vehicle. The packages weighed 64 pounds (29.03 kilos). The street value of the drug is estimated to be $812,000. The cocaine and pick-up truck were seized.

Arrested (vehicle driver): Yubal Ortiz-Navidad, 29, of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, was arrested and booked into the La Paz County Jail on the following charges:

• Possession of narcotic drugs
• Possession of narcotic drugs for sale
• Transportation of narcotic drugs for sale
• Ortiz is also suspected of being in the country illegally
  
  It is believed that Ortiz was traveling from Phoenix to Los Angeles. The La Paz County Task Force assisted with the investigation.

On Sept. 28, 2009, at 3:35 p.m., an officer with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) stopped a late model Nissan Altima sedan for a moving violation while traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 just west of Tucson. The officer observed indicators of criminal activity and obtained consent to search the vehicle. Following the consent search, the officer located 39 bundles of cash inside of a box located in the trunk of the vehicle. Additionally, a DPS narcotics canine alerted to the presence of narcotics on the cash. The driver and passenger both had a bundle of cash on them as well, which totaled $6,000. The total amount seized during the traffic stop was $200,490. Both the driver and passenger were questioned and released pending further investigation.

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