Phoenix mother indicted, accused of using 13-year-old daughter to hide cocaine
PHOENIX - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Phoenix Division and the Arizona Attorney General's Office announced the indictment of Rufina Lopez Covarruvia by a State Grand Jury for allegedly using her 13-year-old daughter to try and hide cocaine from officers during a traffic stop. Covarruvia is charged with multiple felony charges including one count of Involving or Using a Minor in a Drug Offense, a Dangerous Crime Against Children.
Covarruvia is accused of instructing her 13-year-old daughter to hide a bag, filled with $130 worth of cocaine, inside of her bra as the car was being pulled over by officers on September 19, 2019. Two other children, ages 10 and 2, were also inside of the car. During the traffic stop, the bag of cocaine is alleged to have fallen out of the 13-year-old’s bra. Covarruvia is also accused of being affiliated with a Phoenix drug trafficking organization, allegedly buying cocaine for resale.
Covarruvia faces multiple state charges, including: Involving or Using a Minor in a Drug Offense, a Dangerous Crime Against Children; Conspiracy; Transportation of a Narcotic Drug (Cocaine) For Sale; Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Cocaine) For Sale.
The DEA Phoenix Division conducted this investigation, supported by the Salt River Police Department.
