Newark – Delaware State Police have arrested a Miami, Florida man who was in possession of over one kilogram of cocaine, after he was stopped for speeding on I-95 in Newark, Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the incident occurred on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at approximately 8:45 a.m. when Troopers from the Delaware State Police Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) stopped a 1996 Peterbilt tractor trailer/car carrier, operated by Jorge R. Pupo, 36, of Miami, Florida for speeding on I-95 northbound in the area of the Delaware House Travel Plaza, Newark, said Austin.
Troopers then conducted a routine safety inspection of the Peterbilt. Based on this inspection along with other investigative leads the two vehicles which were on the car carrier, a Kia Forte and Chevrolet Aveo, were off-loaded for further investigation. A Wilmington Police Department K-9 Unit responded to the scene and conducted a search of the two vehicles and gave a positive response for drugs when searching the Chevrolet Aveo, according to Austin.
Based on the K-9’s positive response a more detailed search of the vehicle was conducted by members of the Delaware State Police Drug Unit, with assistance from the DEA . The search produced a package which was concealed in a hidden compartment in the front passenger seat of the Aveo, said Austin. The package contained approximately 1.2 kilograms of cocaine which has a street value of approximately $30,000, according to police.
Austin said Pupo who is currently on probation for drug trafficking out of Florida, was taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where he was arrested and charged with one count each of: Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, Manufacture, Deliver or Possess With Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Non-Marijuana Related.
Pupo was arraigned at the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $20,500.
Image Credits: Delaware State Police
