During the early morning hours of April 11, Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) detectives responded to the Winslow Police Department to assist with a narcotics trafficking investigation. A traffic stop conducted by the Winslow Police Department led to the discovery of approximately 1.02 pounds of powdered fentanyl that was allegedly being transported from the El Mirage area to Winslow. The estimated street value of the seized fentanyl is approximately $27,720.
During the course of the investigation, MCAT detectives identified an adult male suspect, later identified as Leon Richardson, 47, of El Mirage, as being connected to the alleged narcotics trafficking activity. Through investigative methods and collected evidence, detectives developed additional information related to suspected drug trafficking activity in the Winslow area.
On May 19, MCAT detectives, along with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit and Patrol Division, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Winslow Police Department, executed a search warrant at a property associated with Richardson in the Winslow area.
During the execution of the search warrant, investigators located evidence believed to be consistent with narcotics manufacturing and trafficking activity. Items seized included an industrial-sized pill press, M30 dye, quantities of suspected cutting agents, firearm suppressors, a stolen firearm, and approximately 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of approximately $35,000. Investigators also discovered what appeared to be a fentanyl pill conversion lab on the property.
Richardson was charged with transportation of a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, manufacturing of a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic drug, transportation of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of manufacturing equipment, possession of a weapon by a prohibited possessor, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a drug offense and use of a cell phone during a drug offense and booked into the Navajo County Jail.
