TERRELL, Texas — A Terrell Police Department traffic stop, with the assistance of a Kaufman County K-9, yielded one arrest and the seizure of nearly $7,000 in meth, pills, $1,300 in cash, and a loaded handgun.
TERRELL, Texas — A Terrell Police Department traffic stop, with the assistance of a Kaufman County K-9, yielded one arrest and the seizure of nearly $7,000 in meth, pills, $1,300 in cash, and a loaded handgun.
On April 1, 2015, at approximately 5:56 p.m., a Terrell Police Department Narcotics Unit officer conducted a traffic stop on a four-door 1992 Pontiac Bonneville in the 300 block of Ninth Street in Terrell, stated Terrell Police Department Captain A.D. Sansom.
“Indicators of narcotics activity was present and consent to search was requested,” stated Sansom. However, the driver, identified as 34-year-old Maria Louisa Ruggerio, denied the officer’s request to search the vehicle.
The officer then requested the assistance of a Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to conduct an “open-air sniff” of the vehicle which produced an alert from the K-9, giving probable cause to the officers to search the vehicle.
In the vehicle, police found and seized 67.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 9.4 grams of Clonazepam, and .8 ounces of hydrocodone. The street value of the meth, according to Sansom, is approximately $80 to $100 per gram — a nearly $7,000 seizure. Police also seized a loaded Ruger .380 semi-automatic handgun in a backpack which contained the pills. Numerous other drug paraphernalia items were also seized including small plastic baggies and a digital scale.
Ruggiero was arrested and charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 greater than or equal to four grams and less than 200 grams, two counts of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 3 less than 28 grams, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
While police were transporting Ruggiero to the Terrell Police Department jail, Ruggiero told police she also had meth concealed in her clothing and/or body.
Police also seized $1,323.75 and the vehicle in connection with the alleged sale of illegal narcotics.
“This is just another example of the usefulness of Police K-9s in keeping our streets free of drugs and why, as an agency, we desire the development of our own program,” said Sansom. “Police K-9s have great value in today’s policing mission and partnerships like the one shared with Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department are extremely important. Without their assistance and a well trained and productive K-9, this arrest and seizure may have been lost.”
“Terrell PD will not request K-9 funding in the 2015-2016 budget,” added Terrell Police Department Chief Jody Lay, “however, the department has been conducting research regarding the program and definitely has plans for a K-9 program in the short-term future.”
