On Saturday, August 22, two Arizona men were arrested by deputies with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Dept. in Oklahoma after being pulled over for driving erratically on Interstate 40.
56-year-old Rafael Luna of Glendale and 50-year-old Jose Lopez of Phoenix told the deputies they were on their way to Missouri for a graduation, that Luna’s son was graduating from U.S. Army basic training. Deputies became suspicious when the two men’s stories seemed inconsistent. They were ultimately arrested after detectives had a drug sniffing canine brought to the scene to sniff around the vehicle, and found black-tar heroin and cocaine in the trunk of the Mercedes Benz the suspects were traveling in.
According to NewsOn6.com, 1.2 pounds of black-tar heroin was found in the vehicle, along with 15 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were located under the spare tire after ‘Pickles’ (the dog) alerted to the trunk area. Both men were taken into custody immediately. Luna is a fourth-grade teacher, and admitted that his summer job was hauling drugs for extra money. Lopez told investigators he had recruited Luna, and that he had been recruited himself to haul drugs; he works as a mechanic.
Deputies seized $1,290, the Mercedes Benz, and the drugs found in the vehicle. Both Luna and Lopez were booked on complaints of trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine.
Drug trafficking is a very serious crime in every state in the U.S. Trafficking of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or other illegal substances is a felony, and prosecutors zealously pursue a conviction for those accused of distributing or delivering illegal narcotic drugs. In the state of Michigan, an individual may face a minimum of 20 years in prison and even up to life if found guilty of drug trafficking, depending on the amount of drug involved.
Even if you are found in possession of cocaine, heroin, or another illicit substance, the amount found in your possession could result in trafficking charges. Regardless of the crime you have been charged with or are under investigation for, protect your legal rights and fight for your freedom by working with a highly skilled Michigan drug crimes lawyer.