Navajo PD snags people carrying illegal drugs

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation Police made several arrests on two major highways that run through the Navajo Nation.

On U.S. 160 near Kayenta, police arrested Jesus Martin Tapia of Phoenix and Raul Rivera Pena of Tijuana, Mexico, for transporting cocaine.

A Navajo Nation Police officer stopped Tapia for illegible plates the night of June 9 and noticed indicators of criminal activity. The officer deployed a canine and found an “after-market compartment.” When the compartment was opened a white powder substance confirmed to be cocaine was found.

The Navajo County Major Crimes Apprehension Team was notified and assisted with the process, according to Navajo Nation police.

Tribal police also made an arrest on May 29 on U.S. 160, this time near Teec Nos Pos.

Omar Lopez of Delta, Colo., and Jairo Lorenzana of the same town were arrested for transportation methamphetamines.

The two were stopped during traffic saturation patrol for the Towaoc Ute Indian Bear Dance festivities.

After a traffic stop, a Navajo Nation Police officer observed suspicious activity from both and requested for verbal and written consent to search the vehicle. After obtaining permission, a canine was deployed, according to the police report.

A subsequent search found approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamines, police stated.

The Apache County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.
On Interstate Highway 40, an Oklahoma suspect was arrested for possession of methamphetamines on May 23. A traffic stop that afternoon by Navajo Nation Police resulted in a find of 3 grams of methamphetamines by canine. Robyn Marie Lopez was arrested in the incident.