Two arrests; two kilos of cocaine found at FHP control | Highlands News-Sun

The Florida Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop this week in Avon Park for speeding and not wearing a seat belt.

Officers, with the assistance of a K-9 drug detection unit, found two kilograms of cocaine concealed in a sheet in a duffel bag in the trunk, according to arrest reports.

Law enforcement also found 37.5 grams of marijuana, including a quantity of drugs, on a metal tray next to a blunt being rolled. They also found two bags of marijuana in the center console as well as a yellow ladder containing marijuana residue.

The driver of the car, Yesangel Joel Torres-Estrela, 26, of Sebring, faces criminal charges of trafficking between 28 and 150 grams of cocaine, possession of marijuana, use of a structure or vehicle for drug trafficking and distribution of cocaine, as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle without a valid license.

His passenger, José Miguel Ortiz-Ortiz, 21, of Sebring, who actually owned the vehicle, according to arrest reports, also faces criminal charges of trafficking between 28 and 150 grams of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of a structure or vehicle. for drug trafficking and distribution of cocaine, as well as a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both are being held without bail in the Highlands County Jail.

Arrest reports indicate the officer who made the stop Wednesday has been with the Criminal Interdiction Unit since June 2019 and is certified as a drug recognition expert.

However, what caught the officer’s attention was a blue Honda Pilot heading north on US 27 through Avon Park, faster than the posted speed limit. Reports indicate the trooper had to reach 65 mph to catch up with the Honda.

When the Honda turned right into the Shell gas station at 998 US 27, across from the Walmart Supercenter in Avon Park, the officer activated the lights and the Honda stopped in front of a pump.

The driver got out and spoke with the officer and provided a Florida ID, but no license, for Yesangel Torres-Estrela. According to reports, the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car.

Meanwhile, Ortiz-Ortiz got out of the passenger side, according to reports, and provided his driver’s license. He explained that even though he owned the Honda, he had Torres-Estrela behind the wheel because his foot was hurting, according to reports.

FHP brought in a K9 unit to smell the car, and the dog was alerted to the odor of drugs. After officers arrested the two men, they searched the car and found a metal tray on the front passenger floor with a rolling blunt.

Next to the tray, they found a glass container containing a Ziploc-style bag of raw marijuana. The center console contained a “smell proof” bag containing more raw marijuana, as well as another small Ziploc bag of marijuana and a small yellow ladder containing marijuana residue.

In the rear cargo area of the SUV, they found a black duffel bag containing a green fitted sheet containing two kilograms of cocaine, with each kilogram wrapped in layers of plastic wrap, duct tape and baby wipes.

One of the kilograms was equipped with a GPS tracker, according to arrest reports. Police found an additional GPS tracker in the driver’s door.