Man with New Mexico warrant busted for drugs and paraphernalia

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Elias Andazola was arrested and jailed for his felony warrant with additional drug and paraphernalia charges pending review.

Officers originally instigated a traffic stop for minor moving violations

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A traffic stop for minor moving violations netted a man wanted out of New Mexico with drugs and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

Elias Andazola, 23, was arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on a felony warrant out of New Mexico. While being taken into custody, officers located a canvas bag in the truck where Andazola was a passenger and found several used needles, a meth pipe, and a quantity of brown wax “dabs” (THC concentrate). Andazola allegedly advised the items in the bag were his and additional charges of possession of a narcotic drug (the THC concentrate), and possession of drug paraphernalia are pending review by prosecutors.

According to a Safford Police report, a two-man unit was patrolling in an unmarked patrol vehicle in a known drug area of 9th Street when they observed a lifted Chevy Silverado leaving a residence known for a high amount of drug activity.

As the truck drove by, the officers noticed it didn’t have any mud flaps for its large, oversized tires, the passenger side brake light was showing a white light instead of red, and large objects were hanging from the truck’s rear view mirror.

The officers then initiated a traffic stop for the moving violations and came upon Andazola in the front passenger seat, his father behind the wheel, and two more passengers in the rear. After learning of Andazola’s warrant, he was placed under arrest and a search of the vehicle commenced, ending with the discovery in the canvass bag.