Local Drug-Trafficking Arrests Net One Kilo of Meth, Two Pounds of Heroin, and 15 Firearms

Three Montezuma County residents and two California men have reportedly been arrested this month in connection with a drug-trafficking organization believed to be operating in the local area. In a press release Tuesday, the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office says large quantities of illegal drugs were seized, along with a number of firearms, some stolen. The Sheriff’s Office says a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 160 on May 13 resulted in the arrest of two California men and the seizure of approximately one kilogram of meth and two handguns. Later, according to the release, a search warrant was obtained for the homes of 26-year-old Zekiel Biard of Cortez and of 64-year-old Lyndel Clark and 61-year-old Sherri Clark of Montezuma County. The sheriff’s office said in addition to the meth, nearly 2 pounds of heroin and 15 firearms, several stolen, were seized. The sheriff’s office says all the stolen firearms had been taken in Montezuma County, and will later be returned to their lawful owners. Biard, the Clarks, and the California men have reportedly been charged with the unlawful importation and distribution of controlled substances. According to the release, 24-year-old Robert Sanchez of Cortez, who was arrested April 9 for the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, is alleged to have been part of the same drug-trafficking ring. The sheriff’s office says investigations are ongoing into several other such rings and more arrests are possible.