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Sheriff's office reports large drug seizures, urges continued prevention and recovery referrals
Summary
Navajo County Sheriff's Office officials told the Pinetop Lakeside council that drug seizures last year included hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and more than half a million fentanyl pills; presenters said fentanyl prevalence on pills has fallen from about 7 in 10 to about 5 in 10 but remains a major public-safety risk and called for continued prevention and treatment referrals.
Randy Moffet, presenting for the Navajo County Sheriff's Office, told the Pinetop Lakeside Town Council that the department remains active across dispatch, investigations and regional task forces and highlighted major narcotics enforcement results.
Moffet said the county handled roughly 34,559 total calls and about 18,000 911 calls last year, and that patrol recorded about 8,710 traffic stops. In the criminal investigations unit the office investigated six homicides during the year and continues work on a recent local homicide; the person accused in that case remains in custody, Moffet said.
On narcotics enforcement, Moffet gave itemized seizure figures the office compiled last year: about 347 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of heroin, 27 pounds of cocaine, 73 pounds of marijuana wax and approximately 533,000 fentanyl pills. He said cocaine appears to be rising again and noted an increase in fentanyl powder as an additional concern.
Moffet and Nexus Coalition's Vicky Solomon addressed fentanyl prevalence. Solomon said community testing previously showed roughly seven out of 10 street pills contained a potentially deadly fentanyl dose, and Moffet said that has declined to about five out of 10 — an improvement, he added, that nonetheless leaves a high risk for anyone using illicit pills.
The sheriff's office described several operational investments: a staffed dispatch center that answers within 3— seconds, an aviation unit (helicopter and fixed wing) for time-sensitive transports, a Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT), and upgraded jail medical staffing that includes 18 nurses and an in-jail opioid-treatment capability for people who request help. Moffet said those medical services are aimed at providing resources to people in custody rather than solely punitive measures.
Council members thanked the sheriff's office and asked for continued coordination with community prevention partners. Moffet emphasized outreach and treatment referrals and noted limitations in asset forfeitures because of changes in how proceeds are moved (crypto, Venmo) and enforcement hurdles.
The council did not take formal action specifically on the sheriff's presentation; the update was provided for information and to inform continued interagency work and prevention efforts.
