On Friday July 15th, 2011 Patrol Sergeant Brad Fullwood conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan extended cab pick up truck that was driven by Juan Cruz a 36 year old Hispanic male from the Houston, Texas area. Juan Cruz was the only occupant of the vehicle and advised he was travelling from Houston but would not say where he was travelling to.
During the traffic stop, Sergeant Fullwood obtained consent to search the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle Sergeant Fullwood located a void in the rear portion of the cab that was secured by a cover. Although Sergeant Fullwood could partially see items stored in the void he wasn’t able to reach the items due to the void being secured by a cover. An actuator was attached to the cover of the compartment and it was obvious that this actuator was not a factory installed item.
Sergeant Fullwood was able to apply electrical current to the wires attached to the actuator, which opened the covering of the compartment allowing access to the compartment.
Once the compartment was open Sergeant Fullwood retrieved some plastic bags which contained approximately 751 grams (1.6 pounds) of a crystalline substance. This substance tested positive for methamphetamine. Sergeant Fullwood also retrieved a set of digital scales and empty plastic bags as well as some other items from this same compartment.
Juan Cruz was placed under arrest for Delivery of a Controlled Substance (more than 400 grams) and taken into custody without incident. This offense is punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 15 years, and a fine not to exceed $250,000.00.
The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $60,000.00. Juan Cruz is still in custody with his bond set at $30,000.00.
