Two arrested on drug charges after search warrant served

A Yuma man and woman were arrested Tuesday on various drug-related charges after deputies from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at their residence.

According to Capt. Eben Bratcher of the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 1:05 p.m. officers of the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force served a narcotics search warrant at a residence at 4349 W. 17th Place in Yuma.

Bratcher said the warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation into suspicious activity reported at the residence that was consistent with the sale of drugs.

Both occupants of the home were detained while the warrant was served. A search of the residence reportedly resulted in the seizure of approximately 2.5 pounds of high-quality marijuana valued at $8,000, two handguns, 14.9 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 2.2 grams of hashish and $1,987 in U.S. currency.

Moroni Tollestrup, 22, and Rebecca Kaznak, 23, were both arrested and booked into the Yuma County jail on charges of possession of marijuana for sale, possession of marijuana, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a dangerous drug for sale, possession of a dangerous drug, misconduct with weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Tollestrup and Kaznak made their initial appearances in Yuma Justice Court Wednesday afternoon before Justice of the Peace Greg Stewart.

After informing the pair of the allegations against them, Stewart told them they would be returning to court at 1 p.m. Friday, at which time they would be told if prosecutors had filed a criminal complaint against them, charging him with any of the offenses.

Tollestrup and Kaznak are each being held on a $75,000 bond.

"The investigation was based on a tip we had received," Bratcher said. "We follow up on tips and concerns about suspicious activity all the time.

"Our primary focus is getting these drug dealers out of our communities. It’s very frustrating to the residents who live in the areas where drug dealers operate."

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.