Police make drug trafficking arrest at automotive center

Police made a drug trafficking arrest at Shawnee Mall Saturday after finding drugs inside a van taken to an automotive center by persons who were allegedly intoxicated, police said.
Shawnee Police Department Public Information Officer Dan Shumaker said officers made the arrest  for trafficking in illegal drugs with help from an off-duty Pottawatomie County sheriff’s deputy and Shawnee Mall security, who initially called police.
Shumaker said Officer Josh Wiedemann responded to the call involving complaints about intoxicated people at the Sears Auto Center waiting for a flat tire to be fixed on a van.
When talking to them, Officer Wiedemann noticed a strong odor of marijuana, Shumaker said.
The driver of the van, Loraina Sue Nenaikita, 18, had outstanding city warrants, he said. As the investigation continued at the scene, a bag of marijuana and methamphetamine were discovered, he said.
“Initial indications on the bag of methamphetamine showed it to be trafficking-weight quantity,” Shumaker said.
In addition to the outstanding city warrants, Nenaikita was arrested on complaints of drug trafficking and possession of marijuana, jail records show. She remained jailed in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center Monday afternoon, held on a $15,000 bond.
A second person, Christopher Jimenez, 19, was arrested at the scene on a single complaint of public intoxication, Shumaker said. His bond was set at $2,000 and he remained jailed Monday, jail records show.
About $700 in cash was seized as asset forfeiture in this case, Shumaker said.
The case is being referred to the district attorney’s office for consideration of formal charges.
———
Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962 or kimberly.morava@news-star.com.