Police: 10 pounds of marijuana found in couple's car

State police arrested an Arizona couple on Interstate 25 near Santa Fe on Friday after finding 10 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle, according to a news release.

An officer pulled over the couple's 1998 Ford Explorer just north of the Old Pecos Trail exit after noticing a broken taillight. The officer then smelled a "heavy odor of marijuana" coming from the vehicle and searched it, the release says.

In addition to the marijuana, the officer found a shotgun and a 9mm handgun.

The vehicle's driver, Sarah Benitez, 46, of Glendale, Ariz., was charged with distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy. Trevor Ladd, 24, also of Glendale, was charged with distribution of a controlled substance, conspiracy, felon in possession of a handgun and possession of methamphetamines.

County planners to hold meetings for public

Santa Fe County is rewriting its general plan and land-use code. Beginning Monday, county planners will hold a series of meetings to gather comments from residents in southern Santa Fe County, including those living in the communities of Lamy, Madrid, Cerrillos, Cañoncito, San Marcos, Silverado and Galisteo.

The meetings will be held at the Galisteo Community Center. The schedule is as follows:

Monday: Kickoff meeting, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday: Open house, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Community workshop: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Over the course of the three days, planners also will hold a series of smaller meetings focusing on specific communities and topics. Those wanting to participate in the stakeholder meetings can call Robert Griego at 986-6215. A more detailed list of the stakeholder times and topics can be viewed on the county Web site at www.santafecounty.org.

Suit alleges sex, race discrimination at DOT

A former state Department of Transportation employee in Deming says in a lawsuit that he was fired last year because he was "black, male and angry."

Wilbert "Wil" Hart seeks damages in a complaint for sex and race discrimination filed Wednesday in state District Court in Santa Fe by lawyer Dennis Montoya of Rio Rancho.

According to the complaint, Hart was hired in 2001 as a "network specialist" and he was twice named employee of the month. But in 2008, when he protested that a non-African American woman less qualified than him had been selected for a position he sought, he "was suddenly alleged to be so hostile to management and some of his fellow workers that a restraining order had be (sic) sought against him," says the complaint.

The complaint says Hart was fired, a restraining order was issued against him and he was unable to represent himself effectively in Luna County's "politically-charged atmosphere."

A department spokesman declined to comment.

Wild jaguar caught in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. — State game officials say they have captured the first wild jaguar in Arizona.

The male jaguar was caught southwest of Tucson but state Game and Fish Department did not specify the exact location. It was fitted with a radio tracking collar and released.

It was captured Wednesday during a research study monitoring habitat for mountain lions and black bears.

Game and Fish officials say jaguars have been photographed sporadically along the Arizona border over the years but none had ever been captured by the agency.

The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity sued the federal government last year to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to adopt a recovery plan for the rare animals and protect their habitat.