Drug-related arrests end Las Vegas-to-Southern Arizona run

By Brian Nordli

Thursday, July 5, 2012 | 5:33 p.m.

A woman suspected of transporting drug money from Las Vegas to Southern Arizona and her passenger were arrested Wednesday on Interstate 10 south of Casa Grande, Ariz., Pinal County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

A deputy had stopped 30-year-old Shanice Hempstead of Fontana, Calif., for making illegal lane changes, officials said. In the car with Hempstead was 29-year-old Tiffany Cleveland of Las Vegas.

Officials said the deputy searched the white Mazda sedan after smelling burnt marijuana and found a black purse with $47,670 shrink-wrapped and rubber-banded, along with 23 counterfeit $20 bills. The deputy also discovered several pipes with methamphetamine residue, and additional marijuana.

Confronted about the items, Hempstead admitted they were hired to transport what she believed to be drug money from Las Vegas to Southern Arizona, officials said.

Officials said Hempstead was also driving on a suspended license. Cleveland denied knowing anything about the money, officials said.

Officials said Hempstead was charged with money laundering, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license. Cleveland was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, but more charges are pending, officials said.