MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop A, 504 SE Blue Parkway, Lee's Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Collin Stosberg
(816) 622-0800 ext. 259
A2011-10
March 18, 2011

EMPHASIS: Traffic Stop On Interstate 70 Results In Drug Arrests


On March 17, 2011, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped a 2000 Mercury Villager traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the driver and passenger made conflicting statements, therefore the trooper asked for and received permission to search the vehicle. Patrol canine "Puki" was deployed to sniff the exterior of the vehicle. The canine made a positive indication for the odor of narcotics in the vehicle, and a search revealed approximately five kilos of cocaine inside the rear air conditioner unit vent system.

The driver, Martin Mendez-Gonzales, 45, of Las Vegas, NV, and passenger, Faustino Vaquero, 20, of Brooklyn, NY, were arrested for drug trafficking. Both subjects were transported to the Lafayette County Jail. A warrant was issued by the Lafayette County prosecutor for Mendez-Gonzales and Vaquero and they are each being held on $50,000 cash bond.

The charge for which Mendez-Gonzales and Vaquero were arrested is mere accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.


.
(###)