Cottonwood Police Department released the following information: Tuesday, Aug. 25, Cottonwood officers were conducting highway interdiction operations on I-17 near Camp Verde. At about 12:56 p.m., a silver 2007 Honda Civic was stopped northbound at approximately mile post 278 for expired registration.
The male driver was taken into custody for failure to provide identification while operating a motor vehicle. A Colt 1911 pistol magazine was located in his front pants pocket. He advised the officer there was a gun inside of the vehicle near the passenger. The female passenger was removed from the vehicle and checked for weapons.
The sergeant conducted a free air sniff of the vehicle using K-9 Kratos; who alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle yielded approximately 5 pounds of fentanyl in pill form, a .45-caliber handgun, several magazines for the Colt handgun and numerous .45-caliber and 9mm bullets. It is estimated to be between 15,000 to 20,000 pills with a street value of approximately $600,000.
The driver was identified as Carlos Julian Quintero Parra and the passenger as Monica R. Ramirez, both from Phoenix and both 21 years old.
Parra also had a useable amount of cocaine located in his pants pocket.
Both suspects were transported to the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde where they were booked on numerous felony charges related to the sale and transportation of narcotic drugs and weapons misconduct.
Parra’s charges:
- Two counts of possession of narcotic drugs
- Possession of narcotic drugs for sale
- Transportation of narcotic drugs for sale
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug offense
- Failure or refusal to provide identification while operating a motor vehicle
Ramirez’ charges:
- Possession of narcotic drugs
- Possession of narcotic drugs for sale
- Transportation of narcotic drugs
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug offense”
