KINGMAN – A significant drug seizure is featured in a trial underway at the Mohave County Courthouse. Yefry Harrison Arias-Saldana, 35, Chicago, faces prison time if convicted of multiple controlled substance related charges stemming from an October 21, 2018 traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Kingman.
Arias-Saldana was the driver of the vehicle, according to authorities. The passenger, Marvin Cuevas, 35, also from Chicago, is held in the county jail awaiting trial
A DPS lab technician displayed a large brick of heroin she pulled from a box while testifying shortly after the trial opened Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Kingman. She said the black tar heroin weighed about 2.5 pounds.
Authorities said more than six pounds of methamphetamine was found stuffed in a fire extinguisher located in the vehicle. Five more one-pound packages of meth were also seized inside the vehicle.
DPS Detective Kyle Creager told the jury that he questioned both suspects following the traffic stop. He said they made inconsistent statements about their travel from Chicago to California before driving east until the traffic stop took place.
The trial is expected to conclude Thursday.
