Evidence of drug and gang activity linked to Valley man

July 30, 2007 01:13 PM EDT

A DeKalb County Sheriff's deputy made a traffic stop, but ended up finding more than he'd expected. It happened when the driver of a silver Honda ran a stop sign on County Road 3 in the Whiton area Saturday.

The deputy activated his lights lights to stop the vehicle, and observed the driver of the Honda throw something from the passenger window of the vehicle.

A black object came from the vehicle and landed approximately 20 feet away in a ditch.

It was discovered to be a black cloth case and zip lock bag containing a white/clear substance which resembled methamphetamine ice.

Upon search of the vehicle, the deputy also found drug paraphernalia and drawings of gang paraphernalia.

Espinoza Moscoza Ricardo, 46, of Scottsboro was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he was initially charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Due to the large amount of the drugs seized, Ricardo's charges were upgraded to trafficking in illegal drugs.

The Sheriff's Office is also pursuing an ICE detainer on Ricardo on suspicion that he is an illegal immigrant.

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