At approximately 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 1, Navajo County criminal interdiction deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche for a traffic infraction on Interstate 40 at Exit 257 in Winslow. The deputy contacted the driver, identified as 30-year-old Mario Hubaldo Pacheco-Orduno of Chandler. During the course of the stop, the deputy observed a plastic bag containing white powder inside the vehicle. When the deputy asked what the substance was, Pacheco-Orduno told him it was cocaine. K9 Zolton was deployed for a vehicle sniff and he alerted on the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed three grams of cocaine, two suitcases and a paper bag containing a total of 57.8 pounds of methamphetamine and a firearm. Pacheco-Orduno was arrested for transportation of dangerous drugs for sale, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of a narcotic drug and two counts of misconduct involving weapons. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is approximately $1.1 million. Pacheco-Orduno was booked into the Navajo County Jail. Sheriff Clouse stated, “A big thank you to Zolton and his handler for this outstanding police work. Zolton has continued to make tremendous seizures and supporting our mission of removing these dangerous drugs from our county.”
