9+ Lbs. Of Heroin Found On I-74

Arlin B. Martinez (left) and Stephanie Arroyo

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center

(Dearborn County, Ind.) – A traffic stop on Interstate 74 in Dearborn County led to the discovery of nearly 10 pounds of heroin.

Last Friday, an Indiana State Police trooper stopped a 2000 Honda Odyssey for a minor traffic violation near the Indiana-Ohio state line. The trooper became suspicious of criminal activity and called for a police K9.

An officer with the Batesville Police Department and his dog responded. The K9 hinted at drugs in the vehicle.

As it turned out it was quite a bit of drugs. About 4.25 kilograms – or about 9.4 pounds – of heroin was allegedly found hidden in the vehicle’s spare tire compartment. The drug was stored in five packages.

The driver, Arlin B. Martinez, 22, and her passenger, Stephanie Arroyo, 19, were both arrested. They are both from Chicago, Illinois.

Following the arrests, the trooper reviewed his in-car camera and allegedly heard Arroyo make a statement to Martinez, “He’s gonna find it.” They also discussed what statements to make to the trooper and discussed distracting the trooper from conducting the search.

Martinez and Arroyo are each held in the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center on a charge of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin) Over Three Grams (Class A felony).