KINGMAN – The driver of a moving vehicle from which pounds of methamphetamine were tossed onto Interstate 40 during a police chase entered a plea agreement Monday. Guadalupe Astorga, 44, Tulare, California is being convicted of transportation of dangerous drugs for sale.
Terms of the deal require Mohave County Superior Court Judge Doug Camacho to order a five-year prison term when Astorga is sentenced on July 20.
Authorities allege Astorga kept driving when a Mohave County Sheriff’s deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop for a suspected lane change violation about two miles east of Kingman. Co-defendant Pedro Aguirre, 38, Indio, California reportedly tossed two travel bags full of meth from the passenger side window.
“One of the bags hit the ground and broke open, causing a cloud of white powder to be strewn across the interstate,” said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. She said the area was secured and that three suspects were detained when the vehicle stopped a mile into the pursuit.
Authorities said about 40 pounds of meth was seized from the two handbags. Another 1.2-pound bundle of oxycodone bills was also confiscated.
Aguirre pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs for sale. He is serving a 7.5-year-long prison sentence.
Prosecutor Amanda Claerhout said the final suspect, 17-year-old Saul Ceberoz, is also expected to enter a plea agreement.
- Dave Hawkins
