A 36-year-old Uvalde man faces potential felony narcotics charges after Frio County deputies found him in possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop Friday afternoon.
According to a report on the case, deputies effected a traffic stop on the driver after he disregarded a stop sign at the intersection of the IH-35 east access road and FM 462 in Moore just before 2:30 p.m. on December 19.
The driver, identified as Elias Velasquez, reportedly told the deputy he was traveling home but, according to the report, seemed nervous during the roadside interview.
A search revealed Velasquez had a bag of cocaine in his pants pocket; a second bag was discovered in the man’s wallet.
It was during a subsequent search of the SUV that deputies discovered a bag containing marijuana among other drug paraphernalia.
Although Velasquez was released pending the results of laboratory testing of the narcotics, the case is set to be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for potential felony drug possession charges once the analysis is complete, according to investigators.
“Our deputies are not just patrolling, they are connecting,” Frio County Sheriff Peter Salinas said of the recent drug cases plaguing the small community of Moore. “In these tight-knit communities such as Moore, when the people see us as partners, not just enforcers, we can solve problems before they escalate. Deputies will continue to be proactive and deter drug activity.”
