The K9 Unit of the聽Coconino County Sheriff鈥檚 Office聽(CCSO) seized heroin, cocaine and other unidentified narcotics in traffic stops conducted this weekend east of Flagstaff. Deputies arrested three suspects, but one fled on foot from officers and has not been located since.
Just after 7 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, the K9 Unit stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 40 near the Cosnino Road Exit. Upon searching the vehicle, the deputy discovered 1.12 pounds of suspected heroin and 27.6 grams (approximately 1 ounce) of crack cocaine.
The driver of that vehicle, who CCSO identified as 37-year-old Misael Lopez Cortaza, was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on a charge of transporting narcotic drugs for sale, a Class 2 felony. Jail records show that Cortaza was released the next day after posting bond.
On Sunday, March 2, the K9 Unit stopped another vehicle along the same stretch of I-40 near Cosnino, shortly before 11 a.m. During this traffic stop, deputies found unspecified 鈥渟uspected illegal substances鈥� in the vehicle, according to a CCSO press release. A picture of K9 鈥淒ex鈥� released by the office shows two plastic bags of small circular blue pills -- a common shape and color for counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl.
Deputies took two subjects into custody, but one suspect fled on foot into the wooded area south of the interstate. CCSO identified the man who fled as Brayan Machado Campos, 24, a Hispanic man with short facial hair wearing blue jeans, a red shirt, a light black jacket and black shoes resembling Vans. CCSO stated that deputies and officers from other agencies searched the area for several hours but did not locate Campos.
The other two suspects from the March 2 stop, identified by CCSO as Carlos Bojorquez Velazquez, 29, and Luis Chaidez Verduzco, 25, were both booked into the county jail on charges of transporting narcotic drugs for sale.
As of Monday, Campos was still at large. CCSO asks anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact their office at (928) 774-4523, or call 911.