On Wednesday, June 29, Navajo County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 40 at Milepost 252 in the Winslow area for multiple traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop, deputies became suspicious of criminal activity. A certified narcotics detection dog was walked around the vehicle and had a positive alert. A search of the vehicle revealed 20.3 pounds of methamphetamine and 7,650 M-30 fentanyl pills. The estimated street value is over $670,000. Maria Victoria Morales-Ramirez, 30, and Marco Polo Chavez-Lopez, 38, both of California were traveling with six children, ages ranging from one month old to 9 years old. The children were turned over to the Arizona Department of Child Safety. Chavez-Lopez and Morales-Ramirez were both arrested for child abuse, and two counts each of transportation of dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of a narcotic drug. Both Morales-Ramirez and Chavez-Lopez were booked into Navajo County Jail.
