Stanislaus County Sheriff’s patrol deputies, working a special burglary suppression assignment with the Hughson Police Services, arrested a Modesto man on numerous drug-related felonies, during a traffic stop Monday.Deputies were patrolling near the intersection of Hatch and Gilbert roads at 12:11 a.m., when they noticed a 2000 Chevrolet speeding and driven running stop signs. Sheriff’s deputies made a traffic stop, contacted the driver and could immediately smell the odor of what they believed to be marijuana coming from the car’s passenger compartment, and a black-colored substance believed to be hash, or concentrated cannabis, could also clearly be seen inside of the car, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Luke Schwartz. A records check revealed that the driver, 23-year-old Gonzalo Vega, was driving on a suspended driver’s license, Deputy Dustin Bruley, who is a certified narcotics-detecting K-9 handler, was able to respond to the location of the traffic stop to provide assistance with his K-9, “Anna.” The K-9 helped uncover numerous bags of hash and approximately 2.15-pounds of marijuana buds, Schwartz said.The drugs were seized, Vega’s car was towed, and he was arrested without incident. “This is just another example of good police work and the significant role our K-9 Unit plays in the apprehension of drug traffickers,” said Hughson Police Chief Janet Rasmussen. Vega is being held at the Stanislaus County Men’s Jail, where he will await arraignment on violation of several felony charges including transportation, sales, and possession of concentrated cannabis. He was also charged with traffic related offenses including failure to stop at a stop sign and driving on a suspended license. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
