Goodyear police seizes fentanyl powder worth up to $96,000 in street value during traffic stop

An Oct. 14 traffic stop conducted by Goodyear police officers resulted in a bust of approximately 13.2 pounds of fentanyl powder concealed inside a vehicle, the department announced Thursday.

The seized fentanyl was valued at $72,000 to $96,000. The value range is determined by purity and quality of the drug, according to authorities.

The stop began as a routine traffic violation, but officers said they saw signs of possible criminal activity by the two people in the vehicle.

After a police dog sniffed the outside of the vehicle, officers searched it and found fentanyl powder hidden in an aftermarket compartment.

The traffic stop occurred near Interstate 10 and Sarival Avenue.

Two suspects, 27-year-old Marco Ayala and 24-year-old Emely Varela, were arrested and booked into jail on four charges relating to the possession, transportation and sale of narcotic drugs, as well as conspiracy.

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