CAMP VERDE — Two suspects were arrested on multiple narcotics charges after a Yavapai County Sheriff’s K9 deputy stopped their vehicle at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, and discovered 12 pounds of heroin.
The driver, 37-year-old Juan Breceda and his passenger, 32-year-old Laura Carrasco, both of New Mexico, were booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Each of the suspects is being held on a $150,000 bond, said a news release from the sheriff’s office.
The estimated street value for this load is more than a half million dollars.
The suspects were travelling north on Interstate 17 in the Cordes Lakes area when they were pulled over for moving violations by the deputy. They both had outstanding warrants.
“While conversing with the driver, the deputy noticed ground up marijuana residue on the front passenger side floorboard,” the release said. “A deputy noted Juan remained unusually nervous throughout the interaction with law enforcement and downplayed his known criminal history. Juan denied travelling with anything illegal and when asked, consented to let deputies check his vehicle for contraband.”
Deputies found a marijuana cigarette inside a cigar package stored in a passenger door compartment and noticed the trunk liner appeared disturbed. When they pulled it back, several packages of heroin were found. A field test ascertained that the substance was heroin.
Carrasco admitted that she was involved in trafficking the narcotics, the release said.
Detectives are continuing their investigation into the trafficking operation.