CA-Traffic stop leads to meth arrest and immigration hold

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – An enforcement stop by members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail on Monday morning resulted in one felony arrest, the seizure of approximately half a pound of crystal methamphetamine and $1,800 pending asset forfeiture. Arrested was Juan Martinez Ruiz, 22, according to Lake County Sheriff's public information officer Michelle Gonzalez.

On Monday, Aug. 8, sheriff’s deputies assigned to Special Enforcement Detail were conducting proactive patrols in the Clearlake Oaks area, Gonzalez said. At approximately 11:15 a.m., deputies stopped a white Chevy pickup truck on Highway 53 near Highway 20 for vehicle code violations. Gonzalez said the driver, later identified as Ruiz, was determined to be unlicensed and subsequently arrested. A sheriff’s narcotics detection K-9 alerted to the area of the truck’s engine compartment, Gonzalez said. When deputies searched beneath the hood of the truck, they located approximately half a pound of crystal methamphetamine concealed in the engine compartment. Deputies also seized nearly $1,800 in currency from Ruiz’ person as suspected profits of drug trafficking, Gonzalez said.

Ruiz was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked on charges of possession of a controlled substance for sales, transportation of a controlled substance, and driving while unlicensed. Ruiz remained in the Lake County Jail early Saturday on a no-bail illegal entry immigration hold, according to jail records.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

http://lakeconews.com/content/view/20981/919/