FL: Meth found in stuffed animals in car
http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...38/1001/NEWS01
Article published Feb 25, 2007
Meth found in stuffed animals in car
Illegal immigrant charged with drug possession, trafficking
BY AUSTIN L. MILLER
STAR-BANNER
OCALA - A man who was pulled over by Marion County sheriff's deputies for running a red light on Friday had thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine concealed in two stuffed animals, according to authorities from the Sheriff's Office and law enforcement agents in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Sheriff's officials said Lt. Ruamen DelaRua stopped a gold-colored Mitsubishi for failure to stop at the stoplight at the intersection of Northeast Seventh Street and Baseline Road.
While DelaRua was talking with Exael Castillo Pineda, 22, K-9 Deputy Brad Thomas had his dog, Gator, conduct a drug sniff around the vehicle. Officials said Gator alerted deputies to a door of the vehicle.
Thomas searched the vehicle and reportedly found two stuffed animals on the back window panel with the drugs hidden inside. Sgt. Donnie Winston of the HIDTA team showed up and photographed the car and toys.
The methamphetamine weighed 947 grams, or a little more than 2 pounds. According to drug officials, regular methamphetamine goes for about $100 a gram. But, if it is of higher quality - like crystal methamphetamine - then its value increases to roughly $160 a gram. In Pineda's case, the methamphetamine had a street value of about $151,500.
Pineda, a Mexican citizen, has an immigration hold on him for being an illegal immigrant, officials said. He was charged with possessing and trafficking meth as well as driving with a suspended license. Pineda reportedly admitted not only to having the drugs, but also to the driving charge.
HIDTA, made up agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Sheriff's Office and Ocala police, do long-term investigations and are called out when local officials find large quantities of drugs.
Austin L. Miller may be reached at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.
