By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A 25-year-old Del Rio man faces two felony drug possession charges after police said they found marijuana and crystal meth inside the car he was driving.
Jose Herrera Rodarte Jr., 412 Arteaga St., was arrested at 4:21 a.m. Aug. 2, according to a report recently released by the Del Rio Police Department. Rodarte was charged with the offense of possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, greater than or equal to one gram, less than 200 grams, a third-degree felony; and of possession of marijuana, greater than or equal to four ounces, less than five pounds, a state jail felony; according to the DRPD arrest report.
In an affidavit filed in the case, DRPD Officer David Lopez reported he stopped a gray 2017 Toyota sedan traveling north in the 1600 block of Veterans Boulevard at 1:55 a.m. on Aug. 2. Lopez wrote the vehicle did not have its headlights on and said he identified Rodarte as the driver of the Toyota.
“Upon approaching the vehicle, (I) could smell a light odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. (I) could smell that Rodarte attempted to cover the odor by spraying a large amount of cologne inside the vehicle,” Lopez wrote.
The officer wrote he asked Rodarte to step out of the car after seeing marijuana on Rodarte’s lap.
Lopez said he searched Rodarte after seeing the marijuana on his lap and smelling marijuana in the car.
“A large amount of green leafy substance was found in between Rodarte’s legs inside his pants. The substance later field tested positive for marijuana,” Lopez wrote.
The officer also noted, “Upon searching of the vehicle, a small black bag was found in the center console that contained a crystal-like substance. Another clear baggie wrapped in a black bag containing a crystal-like substance was found in the rear driver seat. The substance later tested positive for methamphetamine.”
Lopez reported the suspected marijuana found weighed a total of 6.29 ounces, and the suspected meth weighed a total of 32.5 grams.
Lopez said he arrested Rodarte on both possession charges and transported him to the police station for processing.
Bonds totaling $45,000 were set in the two cases by Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 Pat Cole.
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