Plate Check and K-9 Unit Sniffs Out 60 Pounds of Marijuana at Motel

Three people face drug charges after a license plate check and a K-9 unit helped sniff out 60 pounds of marijuana at a Foristell hotel.

Each of the three suspects are charged with accessory to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute:

·      Juan Martinez-Dorado , 26, of Glendale, AZ

·      Leticia Galaviz, 37, of Phoenix, AZ

·      Sergio Ponce, 28, of Phoenix, AZ

St. Charles County Sheriff’s deputies said on July 4 they spotted two cars backed into spaces and parked next to each other with California and Arizona license plates. They reported that it appeared the owners were attempting to hide the license plates.

A K-9 alerted on both vehicles, deputies said. The officers said Martinez-Dorado approached them, appeared nervous and was visibly shaking. Galaviz also approached the officers.

They told officers they were traveling to Ohio with a third person, Ponce.

A vehicle search discovered 57 bricks of marijuana hidden in one of the cars.

Deputies said Martinez-Dorado admitted he knew about the marijuana. However, Galaviz and Ponce denied knowing about the marijuana and said they did not know and were not traveling with Martinez-Dorado.

Deputies said receipts found in both cars showed all three were traveling together.

Martinez-Dorado, Galaviz and Ponce are being held by St. Charles County Corrections. Bail was set at $75,000, cash only, for all three.