Police Blotter: 100.9 pounds of marijuana seized after traffic stop

HOLBROOK

Two suspects were arrested on Dec. 7 on I-40 and charged with the transportation and possession of marijuana, according to a news release from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrested and booked into Navajo County Jail are Mario Saenz Jr., 27, of San Antonio, Texas, and Marc Urroz-Perez, 22, of Shelton, Nebraska.

On Dec. 7th, deputies and K-9 Zolton conducted a traffic stop on I-40. During the traffic stop, Zolton alerted on the vehicle and a probable cause search revealed 100.9 pounds of high-grade marijuana concealed in large duffle bags.

The marijuana had an estimated street value of $300,000 and was being illegally transported over state lines.

Double fatal crash on U.S. 550

AZTEC, N.M. – On Dec. 14, 2019 at about 10:30 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 550 around milepost 168, north of Aztec.

The initial investigation indicated a 2003 Lincoln passenger car was traveling south on U.S. Highway 550. For reasons still under investigation the vehicle left the roadway and rolled.

Both rear seat passengers were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased on the scene by the office of the Medical Investigator.

The driver and front seat passenger were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their conditions and injuries are not known.

The rear seat passengers who died in the crash were identified as Marcelino Marquez, 52, of San Juan, New Mexico, and Michael Tsosie, 52, of Sweetwater, Arizona.

The male driver, 18, and the male front seat passenger, 19, both of San Juan, were not identified.

Alcohol is suspected in being a contributing factor to the crash, and seatbelts were not properly utilized.

The crash is still under investigation and no additional information was available.

13 certified as peace officers

SNOWFLAKE, Ariz. — On Dec. 12, 13 new peace officers were sworn in after completing the 21-week Arizona Peace Officer Standards for Training at Northland Pioneer College’s Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy.

Navajo County Superior Court Presiding Judge Michala M. Ruechel, administered the oath to Navajo County Sheriff’s deputies David Nowak, Nathan Ostertag and James Shreeve.

And to Apache County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Walker and Holbrook Police Officer Joshua Tagler.

Also Show Low Police Officer Ismael Naranjo, Snowflake/Taylor police officers Richard Brewer, Loren Cluff and Dakota More, Winslow police officers John Johnson and Nicholas Perez, San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Officer Zachary Ashkie and Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Foster.

Physical fitness and top recruit award went to Naranjo, firearms award to Ashkie, top academic award to Nowak and defensive driving award to Walker.

Those interested in becoming a certified Arizona peace officer need to contact the agency they would like to work for to begin the process, which can take four to eight weeks.

The next class is scheduled to begin Jan. 13. Centrally located in Taylor, students can only enroll under the sponsorship of a law enforcement agency.

---