PALESTINE —
A Palestine man remained in the Anderson County Jail Monday after a routine traffic stop led to his arrest for drug possession and other charges early Sunday morning.
According to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor, the incident occurred at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, when Deputy Jimmy Gorden stopped a red Ford Mustang at the corner of Loop 256 and Murchison Street in Palestine.
“The driver — Gilberto Estrada Vinaja, 27, of Palestine — was driving with a suspended license and was taken into custody by Deputy Gorden,” the sheriff said. “(The suspect) was acting fidgety, as if he were trying to secret something.”
Upon search of the vehicle, Gorden and Sgt. Gabe Williams located a small clear baggie on the floorboard behind the seat that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Later, following arrest, officers located another baggie of methamphetamine in the suspect’s shoe.
“We always do a pat-down search of suspects when they come into the jail and ask them if they have anything hidden on their person,” Taylor said. “When they questioned Vinaja, he said ‘no,’ but deputies located the baggie.”
Vinaja was charged with possession of a controlled substance-PG 1, 1-4 grams, $10,000 bond; prohibited substance in a correctional facility, $7,500 bond; and a fine of $367 for driving with a suspended license.
A total of 1.5 grams of methamphetamine was confiscated during the incident, Taylor said.
“In about every 10 or 15 traffic stops, the incident becomes drug-related,” the sheriff said. “Unfortunately, that is about normal.”
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
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Gilberto Estrada Vinaja
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