K-9 aids Ariz. sheriff’s office in traffic stop drug bust that netted 70,000 suspected fentanyl pills

The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A traffic stop on Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff resulted in the seizure of approximately 70,000 suspected fentanyl pills, according to a press release from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

The stop occurred on Friday, Jan. 9, shortly before 10 a.m., near the Kelly Canyon Road Exit. The CCSO K-9 Unit received consent to search the vehicle and reportedly found 17.58 pounds of suspected fentanyl.

The driver of the vehicle, 36-year-old Angel Salgado-Chavez, was arrested and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for transportation of narcotic drugs for sale. That offense is a Class 2 felony in Arizona. State law also specifies that transporting more than 200 grams of fentanyl (about half a pound) in a motor vehicle carries a mandatory prison sentence of five to 15 years.

No additional information was immediately available.

Trending

Federal law enforcement

Minneapolis: ICE officer shoots man after being attacked with shovel during arrest

The incident unfolded after a Venezuelan national fled from federal officers; when an officer ran after him, the man and two other people attacked him

January 15, 2026 09:41 AM

Legal

‘Lawful and appropriate': Ohio officers cleared in ambush that killed colleague

The ambush attack killed Lorain Officer Phillip Wagner and wounded Officers Brent Payne and Peter Gale

January 16, 2026 10:30 AM

Officer Misconduct / Internal Affairs

Ala. police harassment case settled with $110,000 ‘goodbye forever’ agreement

Former Tarrant police officer Chante Crosby accused Chief Wendell Major of demoting her in the police department after she noticed inappropriate material on his computer in 2023

January 16, 2026 01:20 PM

Police Recruitment

AI screening error led to ICE hires being deployed while undertrained, LE sources allege

Mentions of “officer” in resumes led the AI to misclassify applicants as having prior law enforcement experience, routing some into shortened training, sources said

January 15, 2026 10:57 AM

 · 

Joanna Putman

© 2026 The Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff, Ariz.). Visit www.azdailysun.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Company News

Tactical Products

Beretta and Garmin introduce the MARQ Commander (Gen 2) Beretta 500 limited edition smartwatch

MARQ Commander (Gen 2) Beretta Edition offers advanced tactical, navigation, and smartwatch functionality

January 13, 2026 04:24 PM