Mother Arrested For Drug Trafficking With Child In Car

Nearing the end of the year, Canadian County has arrested dozens of people for trafficking drugs across the country.

On Thursday, an Arkansas woman added to that list. Julia Ortiz, 43, was booked into the Canadian County Jail for drug trafficking. She also got an additional child neglect charge because her young daughter was in the vehicle.

Read Related Story: Canadian Co. Deputies Arrest Woman After Finding Nearly 75 Pounds Of Marijuana

“A lot of times, they want to look as normal as they can,” said Sheriff Chris West, “Sometimes they take their children and actually victimize their own children by doing that.”

The Canadian County deputy pulled Ortiz over for traffic violations. He asked her questions, but the timeline of her story didn’t line up so he asked to search her car. Sheriff West said she consented.

“Sure enough in the trunk of the vehicle, there was two large black duffel bags and inside those duffel bags was a lot of marijuana, about 72.5 pounds,” said West.

West said it was high-grade marijuana and believes it has a street value over $175,000. Upon investigation, they believe Ortiz is a mule for the Mexican Drug Cartel.

Ortiz’s child was taken into protective custody. The woman’s bond was set at $110,000. Ortiz has since bonded out of jail.