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INDIAN HILLS – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers
filed felony drug charges against two Arizona women after a traffic stop in Hamilton
County. During the traffic stop, troopers seized more than 4 pounds of heroin
valued at approximately $300,000.
On July 8, 2018 at 3:20 p.m., troopers stopped a 2008
Nissan Altima with Arizona registration for an impeding traffic violation on
Interstate 275 near milepost 51. Criminal indicators were observed and a Patrol
drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed the contraband.
The driver, Gloria Lopez, 25, of Tucson, Ariz., and
passenger, Lizbeth Sophia Morales, 19, of Losarcos Sierra Vista, Ariz., were
incarcerated in the Hamilton County Jail and charged with possession and
trafficking in heroin, both first-degree felonies; and operating a vehicle with
a false compartment, a fourth-degree felony.
If convicted, each woman could face up to 21 years
in prison and up to a $45,000 fine.
In 2012, Senate Bill 305, prohibited designing,
building, constructing, fabricating, modifying, or altering a vehicle to create
or add a hidden compartment with the intent to facilitate the unlawful
concealment or transportation of a controlled substance. It also prohibits
operating, possessing, or using a vehicle with a hidden compartment with
knowledge that the hidden compartment is used or intended to be used to
facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled
substance, and prohibits a person who has committed a first or second degree
felony violation of aggravated trafficking in drugs from operating, possessing
or using a vehicle with a hidden compartment.
A photo of the seized contraband is available for download
on the Patrol’s website at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov
In 2018, troopers have removed over 100 pounds of
heroin from Ohio’s roadways, more than twice as much compared to 2017
year-to-date. For a complete list of drug arrests by county visit: http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/statistics/statdocs/Highlights/2018/Drugs.pdf
The public is
encouraged to call #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired
driving.
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