‘Overwhelming’ odor of air freshener helps lead police to marijuana bust

ST. GEORGE — A man was arrested by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office deputies after a traffic stop led to the location of marijuana and narcotic items.

Deputies saw an item mounted to the windshield of the vehicle traveling north on Interstate 15 Monday shortly after 4 p.m., according to a press release from the sheriff’s office. The item seemed to be obstructing the driver’s view.

A traffic stop was then conducted near milepost 27 in Littlefield, Arizona, and deputies made contact with the driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was identified as Abdallah Ranez Mohamed Kandil, 28, of Mankato, Minnesota.

When asked for his driver’s license, Kandil provided a student ID and an international driver’s license. He was unable to provide necessary documentation for the vehicle.

Deputies advised him that his car would be impounded after a records check revealed he had a suspended driver’s license out of California.

Deputies observed Kandil’s hands shaking and noticed the overwhelming odor of air freshener inside the vehicle, according to the press release.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located 68 pounds of marijuana in multiple vacuum-sealed bags and 700 narcotic oil vape cartridges.

He was arrested without incident and booked into the Mesquite Jail for marijuana violation, marijuana possession for sale, marijuana transportation, narcotic drug possession and possession for sale, narcotic drug transportation and drug paraphernalia possession, which are all felonies.

He was also booked for failure to show a driver’s license and driving on a suspended license — both misdemeanors.

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