Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2002
Source: Commercial Appeal (TN)
Copyright: 2002 The Commercial Appeal
Contact:  http://www.gomemphis.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95
Author: Bartholomew Sullivan

SUSPECTS LOSE PILE OF DRUGS AND CASH

West Memphis Police Chalk Up Three Successes

West Memphis police made three major busts this week, confiscating large 
amounts of cocaine and cash and making six arrests. Officers patrolling 
eastbound Interstate 40 late Monday morning stopped the driver of a Chevy 
pickup towing a 1986 Buick Regal for an unidentified traffic infraction. 
The driver consented to a search, and a drug dog alerted the officers to 
the Regal's engine block.

The car was examined and its engine was found to have been modified so the 
area where the pistons and cam shafts would normally be found was cut out 
for storage of 12 wrapped kilos (about 26 pounds) of cocaine.

Passenger Candelario Ontiveros and driver Luis Enrique Arredondo, both 20 
and both with Phoenix addresses, were charged with possession of cocaine 
with intent to distribute, according to police Capt. Mike Allen. The 
shipment was believed bound for Atlanta.

In a separate case, police ended a six-week investigation Monday by 
executing a search warrant at 618 S. 18th St. and seized five pounds of 
powdered cocaine and 1 pound, 5 ounces of crack, Allen said.

A rifle, two handguns and $57,397 in cash were also confiscated.

Arrested were Fredrick Tyrone Ellis, 23; Dedrick M. Robinson, 24, and David 
Lee McVay, 42. Ellis and McVay tried to flee and were apprehended. All 
three were charged with possession with intent to deliver, simultaneous 
possession of illegal drugs and firearms, and misdemeanor marijuana 
possession charges. Ellis was also charged for being a felon in possession 
of a firearm and for interference with a government operation by at first 
giving authorities a false name.

After calling a press conference to announce the first two busts, officers 
patrolling westbound I-40 Tuesday morning stopped an F-350 pickup bearing 
Texas tags and found $75,910 in cash shrink-wrapped in the spare tire. They 
arrested Lucio Garcia, 25, of Quinlan, Texas, on a charge of laundering 
criminal proceeds.

Garcia allegedly told police he had just come from Tunica, but Allen said 
he didn't believe the cash was winnings from gambling.
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