On May 17, 2022, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on State Route 87 at milepost 340, south of Winslow, for civil traffic violations. Edward Jose Tovar-Gonzalez (31) of Phoenix, was arrested and booked into Navajo County Jail for Possession of Narcotic Drugs, Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, and Transportation of Narcotic Drugs.
Following the traffic stop, a Gila County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit assisted by walking their K-9 around the vehicle to perform a free air sniff. The K-9 had a positive alert. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed nearly 56,000 suspected M-30 Fentanyl pills, and 2 grams of Cocaine. The estimated street value of the drugs is nearly $1,400,000.00.
