Traffic stop leads to drug bust
Deputies with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men on drug charges following a traffic stop on Monday after they were allegedly found to be concealing heroin in their body cavities.
According to spokesperson Alfonso Zavala, the incident happened at approximately 10:03 a.m. in the 8000 block of East 32nd Street, when a deputy pulled over a Chevrolet sedan for a traffic violation.
Zavala said that during the course of the traffic stop, a K-9 unit was requested and responded to the location. When YCSO K-9 “Jax” arrived on scene he alerted to the vehicle, which resulted in a subsequent search of the sedan.
Through further investigation, it was revealed the two occupants inside the vehicle were reportedly concealing narcotic substances in their body cavities. They were later found in possession of approximately 318 grams of heroin, YCSO said.
“Jax strikes again,” Zavala said. “They were trying to conceal the drugs in any manner they could.”
The heroin, which was contained in 10 separate packages, had an approximate street value of $25,440. “It was a significant amount, but any amount of drugs we can keep off the streets is a win for the community,” Zavala said.
The two occupants of the vehicle, identified as 65-year-old Bonifacio Alarcon Arana, and 38-year-old Ramiro Mendoza Cortez, 38, both of Mexicali, Mexico, were arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center.
They were booked on charges of transportation of a narcotic, possession of a narcotic for sale, possession of a narcotic, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to call (928) 783-4427 to report any suspected gang or drug activity or visit its website at www. yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.