K9 representatives from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office yesterday evening closed Interstate 17 in Cordes Lakes to vehicles heading north, 53 pounds of methamphetamine, 36 pounds of multicolored m-30 fentanyl pills, and found 5 kilograms of cocaine.

When agents approached the vehicle, the driver, Ryan Ellman, 33, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was showing obvious physical signs of nervousness, and when asked about his erratic driving, he said: After further discussion, the agent deployed a K9 Max that was “alarmed” to the smell of drugs. Upon examining the vehicle for possible causes, agents found that in the trunk he had 53 pounds of methamphetamine, 36 pounds of multi-colored m-30 fentanyl pills, and 5 kilograms of cocaine. found the bag. Personal heroin, meth, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and three firearms were also found in the front and back seats of the vehicle.

Detectives said, “During the investigation, a residence of interest was identified that was believed to be a drug stash in the Phoenix area. A further 22 pounds of cocaine were hidden in the residence.

Ellman was arrested and imprisoned in Yavapai County Jail on two counts of transporting drugs for sale, transporting dangerous drugs for sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia.