On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper stopped the driver of a Toyota RAV4 for moving violations on eastbound Interstate 8 near milepost 21, in Wellton. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed indicators of criminal activity. While conducting a search of the vehicle, the trooper located approximately 11.9 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills.

The driver and sole occupant, 28-year-old Laura Yancel Robles, of Phoenix, was booked into the Yuma County Jail on charges including conspiracy, participating in an illegal enterprise, transportation of a narcotic drug, and possession of a narcotic drug for sale.

Later that day, AZDPS Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM) detectives served a related search warrant on the residence of Carlos Ramirez-Gutierrez, 29, in San Luis, AZ. Detectives seized the following items from the residence:

• Approximately 2.1 pounds of methamphetamine
• Approximately 1.18 pounds of fentanyl pills
• Approximately 2.08 pounds of fentanyl powder
• Approximately 1.18 pounds of unknown powder
• 2 high-capacity rifles
• 6 handguns
• 2 firearm suppressors
• Magazines
• Ammunition
• 1 BB replica rifle
• Two vehicles
• $2,436 in U.S. currency 

Ramirez-Gutierrez was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Jail on charges including:

• Possession of a narcotic drug for sale
• Possession of a dangerous drug for sale
• Transportation of a narcotic drug
• Money laundering
• Misconduct with weapons in a drug offense
• Misconduct with weapons by a prohibited possessor
• Conspiracy
• Participating in an illegal enterprise 

The San Luis Police Department, Yuma Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted AZDPS with this investigation.