On July 19, a deputy of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Ajo district conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of North Sartillion Avenue in Ajo. When the deputy approached the Ford Fusion passenger car, he immediately noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. He called for additional deputies and a canine unit to respond to his location.
A drug sniffing dog alerted to the vehicle, but a subsequent search did not reveal any illegal drugs inside the car. While still at the scene, the dog also alerted to the fence line of the residence in front of which the traffic stop had taken place. Further investigation led to a shed on the property where deputies once again noticed a strong smell of marijuana.
Inside the residence there were several people who were temporarily detained. A search warrant was obtained, and inside the shed deputies found 25 bales of marijuana with an overall weight of over 430 pounds, along with a male individual who was later determined to be an illegal alien. A female who was among the people found at the residence had a small amount of methamphetamine on her.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Mashelle L. Womack, admitted to having transported the drugs to her residence and stored them there. She alleged that she was assisted by a 17-year-old local male, who was also subsequently arrested for his involvement. Womackalso stated that the undocumented alien who had been found in the shed was involved in the smuggling scheme as well.
The Ford Fusion was seized and the following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Mashelle Womack for Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana for
Sale and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - 17-year-old male for Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana for
Sale and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Jesus Tereso De Lopez-Zavala for Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of
Marijuana for Sale and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Kristy Ann Fejarang-Blake (DOB 05/11/75) for Possession of Dangerous Drugs
All arrestees were taken into custody.