Sedona AZ (May 27, 2014) – On May 21, 2014, around 9:30 in the morning, Yavapai County Arizona Sheriff’s Office K9 deputies stopped a red 2013 Toyota Corolla with Texas plates, traveling east on Arizona Interstate 40 in the Ash Fork area, after several lane change violations and excessive speed. The two vehicle occupants, a 31-year-old male and his passenger, 33-year old Ruben Plaza, were from California. During a discussion about the violations, the pair were unusually nervous and seemed confused about their travel timeline and plans. The deputy suspected the Corolla may contained contraband, however, permission to search the car was denied by both parties.

The deputy deployed his certified K9 partner to sniff the vehicle exterior and the K9 alerted on the trunk area of the Toyota. When the trunk lid was opened, deputies found a large duffle bag containing 48 pounds of marijuana packed for transportation and sales. Further investigation indicated Plaza was primarily responsible for the marijuana which he told deputies was bound for Texas distribution.

Plaza was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Transportation and/or Sales of Marijuana. He was later released on a $10,000 bond. The passenger was released.

In a second case, on May 20, 2014, at approximately 7:00 in the morning, 40-year-old Adrian Jemison from California was arrested for Possession and Transportation of Marijuana for Sale. He remains in-custody on a $15,000 bond.

YCSO K9 deputies were monitoring traffic on eastbound Arizona Interstate 40 near Ash Fork when they noticed a white Volkswagen Passat with California plates exhibit several unsafe lane changes around passenger vehicles and, in one case, a tractor trailer rig. During a discussion about the traffic violations, Jemison exhibited nervous and deceptive behavior, and his comments provided an indication drugs might be stored in his vehicle. Jemison declined the deputy’s consent to search request.

As a result, the deputy allowed his certified K9 partner to sniff the exterior of the vehicle which resulted in an alert. A search revealed a duffle bag on the back seat containing nearly 22 pounds of marijuana in multiple bundled packages.

At this point, Jemison admitted that he was being paid to transport the marijuana to Alabama for distribution.

Also on May 20, 2014, about 6:30 in the morning, K9 deputies stopped a white 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche with New Mexico plates on eastbound AZ I-40 near Ash Fork for moving violations. A subsequent investigation lead to the arrest of 26-year old Christyna Romero and 28-year-old Jessica Sandoval for Transportation of Marijuana for Sale, Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

After deputies stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Sandoval, and her passenger, Romero, they became suspicious the vehicle was traveling with drug contraband. When a K9 was deployed for an exterior sniff of the truck, it alerted to the rear passenger side of the vehicle. An assisting deputy opened the tailgate of the covered truck bed and found three duffle bags, each containing several packages of marijuana – total weight 75 pounds. Both women denied any knowledge of the marijuana.

During the follow-up investigation, YCSO deputies located paperwork indicating recent very extensive travel miles between California and the Phoenix area. Both indicated New Mexico as their home state, and each has since been released on a $25,000 bond.