CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested earlier this week after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a large amount of marijuana and cash in his vehicle.
Francisco Quintero, 26, was arrested for transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and driving without a license, according to Lt. Tim Celli of the Clearlake Police Department.
Celli said on Wednesday Sgt. Tim Hobbs was on patrol when a vehicle driven by Quintero pulled out in front of him on Austin Road near Mullen Avenue.
The vehicle traveled a short distance in front of Hobbs then suddenly braked and pulled to the right side of the road without using a turn signal, in violation of the vehicle code. In addition, Sgt. Hobbs saw the driver talking on a cell phone, Celli said.
Due to the violations, Hobbs made a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted Quintero. Celli said a routine check on the driver revealed Quintero did not possess a valid driver's license, a misdemeanor violation.
Celli said Hobbs arrested Quintero. Hobbs decided to impound Quintero’s vehicle and an inventory search of the vehicle was conducted.
The search led to the discovery of 5 pounds of marijuana packaged in individual 1-pound increments and a little over $4,000 in cash in the vehicle, Celli said.
Celli said the marijuana was seized for evidence and the cash was seized pursuant to judicial asset forfeiture.
Quintero later was booked into the Lake County Jail, with his bail set at $20,000. Jail records indicated he later posted bail and was released.
Vehicle stop leads to arrest, seizure of marijuana and cash
- Lake County News reports
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