Marcelo Neri-Hernandez

Sedona AZ (December 11, 2015) –  On December 9, 2015, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Marcelo Neri-Hernandez, 37, driving a red Ford Fusion sedan, for a traffic violation on east Interstate 40 near Ash Fork, Arizona. Neri-Hernandez was the only occupant and provided a Mexican passport as identification.

During a routine records check, the deputy was notified that Neri-Hernandez had a valid immigration warrant as a deported felon. Based on that warrant, he was arrested.

Meth discovered in deported felon’s trunk

While checking the vehicle prior to towing, the deputy examined the trunk and noticed a spare tire sitting outside its normal storage compartment. When the deputy removed trunk carpet laying over the spare tire compartment, he found thirteen wrapped packages of methamphetamine.

Further investigation found the seized methamphetamine weighed approximately 25 pounds. Neri-Hernandez indicated he was driving from California to his home state of Oklahoma, but declined to discuss the methamphetamine load. Based on an average street price, the conservative value of the discovered methamphetamine well exceeds $600,000 dollars.

Neri-Hernandez was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on the Immigration warrant along with charges including Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, Transportation of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on a $3 million dollar bond.

Partner Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT) detectives are conducting a follow-up investigation.

Citizens may contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website at www.ycsoaz.gov.

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