Campbell cops keep finding drugs during traffic stops

Campbell cops keep finding drugs during traffic stops

CAMPBELL

Within just a few hours on late Monday and early Tuesday, city police arrested two men on drug charges.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, police conducted an investigative traffic stop on a car parked in a Monroe Street parking lot, as the area has a high frequency of crime and drug transactions.

As soon as police approached the car, they noticed the strong smell of burnt marijuana coming from it, and also spotted a clear bag of suspected marijuana in plain view. They also later found a marijuana cigarette hidden in the visor, and marijuana that was pushed into the air/heat vent in an attempt to conceal it.

Police arrested the driver — identified as 40-year-old Jose M. Perez, of Himrod Avenue -— and charged him with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

At 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, police pulled over an SUV driving on Lettie Avenue that had several items hanging from the rear view mirror, obstructing the driver’s view.

The driver — identified as 29-year-old Johnnie Tarpley III, of Ferndale Avenue — told police he did not have a valid driver’s license.

Police then placed Tarpley under arrest and searched the SUV, finding a plastic bag containing 1.8 grams of suspected cocaine and $132.52 in cash.

He was charged with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, and also for driving under suspension and for the traffic offense.