The Brief
- Goodyear police seized 13.2 pounds of fentanyl bricks labeled “Rolex” and stamped with the Rolex crown logo from a hidden car compartment during an Oct. 14 traffic stop off Interstate 10.
- Following an investigation into the $96,000 drug haul, 27-year-old Marco Ayala—who has a long history of narcotics cases—and 24-year-old Emely Varela were arrested in Yuma and extradited to Maricopa County.
- Both suspects are being held on $200,000 bonds and have pleaded not guilty to felony drug trafficking and conspiracy charges ahead of a trial set for early 2027.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Two suspects have pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges after Goodyear police uncovered more than 13 pounds of fentanyl bricks stamped with the Rolex logo inside a hidden vehicle compartment during an Interstate 10 traffic stop.
Marco Ayala, 27, and Emely Varela, 24, are each being held on a $200,000 bond following the Oct. 14 bust, which netted roughly six kilograms of fentanyl with an estimated street value between $72,000 and $96,000, according to the Goodyear Police Department. Photos released by investigators show the six wrapped packages were labeled “Rolex” in black marker on the outside, while the white compressed drug bricks inside were embossed with the luxury watchmaker’s crown emblem and lettering.
What we know:
Police said the investigation began when officers pulled the vehicle over for a civil traffic violation near Interstate 10 and North Sarival Avenue. While speaking with Ayala and Varela, officers noticed signs of possible drug smuggling and called a Goodyear Police K-9 unit to the scene.…