SVPD arrests two after four month investigation | Crime

Sierra Vista Police arrested two people after an ongoing investigation into the mailing of marijuana packages across the U.S.  

SVPD initiated the investigation in September 2012, after issuing a warrant and finding several boxes and bundles of marijuana weighing close to 11 pounds. 

During the investigation detectives were able to identify a male ‘person of interest’ in these marijuana mailings.  The suspect, identified as Kenthwan Conyers, a resident of Sierra Vista, had been traveling between Columbia, South Carolina and Sierra Vista, allegedly buying marijuana in bundles and then breaking them down to ship across the U.S. 

Detectives got a lead on January 2, when the Columbia South Carolina Police Department contacted them about a rental car that had not been returned; after using the tracking device in the vehicle SCPD determined the car was in Sierra Vista.  The car, a silver Dodge Charger was found at a hotel in the 100 block of Fab Avenue in Sierra Vista.  At this point SVPD also determined that Conyers was back in Sierra Vista, and might have been driving the same rental vehicle that was reported missing. 

According to detectives, working from this tip, surveillance was set up on the hotel and at 2 p.m. on January 2, a male, later identified as Conyers was seen leaving the hotel carrying a large box. 

The suspect was seen putting the box in the silver Charger, and then getting into the driver’s seat; Conyers did not get out of the parking lot before SVPD stopped him.

A K9 unit was dispatched to the parking lot and a ‘free air’ sniff was done on the vehicle, the dog alerted to the possibility of drugs in the car.  Detectives then searched the vehicle and found seven packages of marijuana, weighing about 9.98 pounds, according to officials.  A search warrant was obtained to search the hotel room, where an additional 18.74 pounds of marijuana was found, this is according to SVPD. 

In addition to the marijuana, several items relating to the packaging and distribution of the marijuana were also found in the search, as well as over $12,000 in cash.

Conyers was arrested and charged with two counts each of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for sale, and Transport of Marijuana for Sale. 

A second suspect in the investigation was found in the hotel room.  Identified as Marlisha Renice Malone, she was arrested and faces charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, two counts of Possession of Marijuana for Sale and two counts of Conspiracy to Transport Marijuana for Sale.  Both were booked into the Cochise County Jail.