TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A traffic stop in Tallahassee for a seatbelt violation led troopers to find 6 kilograms of meth inside a Georgia man's car.
Bernardino Popoca Sanchez, 46, was arrested Monday afternoon after a traffic stop on Bradfordville Road.
According to court documents, Popoca Sanchez was pulled over for a traffic violation. Florida Highway Patrol troopers report that the license plate on Popoca Sanchez's license plate was obscured by a plastic cover over the plate, which is a violation of Florida Statute. He also wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
After pulling Popoca Sanchez over, the trooper called in a narcotics detection canine to do a free air sniff of the car. Documents say the canine alerted the trooper to the odor of drugs inside the car.
When the car was searched, troopers found a pillow in the rear floorboard of the car. Inside the pillow's stuffing were six clear, gallon-size bags containing a white crystalline substance.
Documents say the substance was tested and confirmed to be meth. In total, troopers found 6.08 kilograms worth of meth (approximately 13.2 pounds).
When troopers spoke to Popoca Sanchez, he stated that he knew the drugs were inside the car. He told investigators that he knew that the drugs were hidden inside the pillow, and when asked what he thought it was, Popoca Sanchez stated he knew the drugs were "ice."
Based on the evidence, Popoca Sanchez was arrested for trafficking meth (14 grams or over) and distribution of meth.
