Arizona pot bust nabs two New Mexicans

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (KRQE) - Two New Mexico men who went shopping for marijuana in California are now jailed in Arizona, according to a report from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.

Daniel Burkett, 26, and Thomas Thompson, 19, were arrested late Tuesday morning after being stopped for speeding on Interstate 40 west of Seligman, Ariz. Both were booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center and were expected to make their first court appearances Wednesday.

The sheriff's office reported the deputy who stopped the pair could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the black Chevrolet Blazer. Burkett allegedly admitted to having a bag of marijuana in the Blazer, and a police K9 also alerted to the presence of pot.

A search of the vehicle produced several sandwich-size plastic bags containing marijuana, a digital scale and two portable safes, one of them containing more than 3 pounds of marijuana.

Thompson later said the men had driven to California with $6,500 to buy the pot and were heading to Albuquerque to deliver the shipment when they were stopped, according to the sheriff's office.

The news release from the sheriff's office only identified the men as New Mexico residents and did not give their hometowns. Both were charged with transportation of marijuana for sale.