Pubdate: Sat, 25 Feb 2006
Source: Star-Banner, The (Ocala, FL)
Copyright: 2006 The Star-Banner
Contact:  http://www.starbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1533
Author: Austin L. Miller, Star-Banner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH FOUND IN STUFFED ANIMALS IN CAR

Illegal Immigrant Charged With Drug Possession, Trafficking

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.
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MAP posted-by: Derek