GRAND JUNCTION, CO – A routine I-70 traffic stop led to the seizure of 13 pounds of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $750,000, according to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrests & Charges
🚔 Lucina Lopez (26) and Vida Arellano (24), both of Apple Valley, California, were arrested on March 24, 2025.
🚔 Both face felony drug possession and importation charges.
How the Bust Happened
🔹 A Mesa County deputy noticed a car failing to maintain its lane on Interstate 70.
🔹 Upon pulling the vehicle over, the deputy learned it had been rented in another state earlier that day.
🔹 The driver granted permission for a search, leading to the discovery of six vacuum-sealed packages of powdered fentanyl.
🔹 A field test confirmed the substance as fentanyl.
Legal Status & Bail
✅ Lucina Lopez: Held on a $100,000 bond at Mesa County Jail.
✅ Vida Arellano: Awaiting arraignment with bond yet to be set.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement continues to investigate the source and intended distribution of the fentanyl. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to preventing dangerous drugs from reaching local communities.
