Photo Courtesy Gila County Sheriff’s Office: Michael McDaniel was booked on multiple charges after coming up busted at the casino.
Contributed Article/Courtesy San Carlos Apache Tribe
SAN CARLOS APACHE RESERVATION – On Feb. 4, the San Carlos Apache Police Department (SCAPD) arrested Michael McDaniel, a non-Indian, during a drug investigation at the Apache Gold Casino. Based on a tip, McDaniel was reported to be on the reservation attempting to distribute dangerous drugs, namely methamphetamine, to a member of the Tribe. After a SCAPD K9 alerted to McDaniel’s vehicle in the parking lot, a search revealed one pound of methamphetamine, 94 fentanyl pills, 22 grams of marijuana, three firearms, with one firearm having the serial number filed off, multiple weight scales, plastic baggies, and glass pipes. The street value of the methamphetamine is $45,812; fentanyl $3,760; and, marijuana $186.56.
Mr. McDaniel, a previously convicted felon, was transported to the Gila County Jail where he was booked on multiple charges.
Terry Rambler, Chairman, said, “Thanks to SCAPD, our streets are safer. Meth has been crippling and killing our members for too long. Due to the tireless efforts of SCAPD, another link in the chain of addiction has been broken. We have many opportunities on our reservation with education, training, and jobs. Please, to our people, I ask us to take more parental control over our children with alcohol and drug abuse. We are only hurting ourselves. In addition to enforcing our laws, we also plan to assist our people with soon opening a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and expand upon it to help heal our people. As we once again find out, this is a matter of choice. Let’s please help our children in making positive choices with their lives.”
SCAPD Chief, Alejandro Benally Sr., said, “I commend the outstanding work done today by our drug enforcement team that partners with the Gila County Drug Task Force. Their teamwork today clearly depicts their efforts on removing these drug suppliers and dangerous drugs off the streets, making every effort to ensure our communities, Tribal members and neighbors are safe.”
If you want to report drug or alcohol activity in your neighborhood, you can make a confidential report to SCAPD at (928) 475-TIPS (“8477”).
