DPS Traffic Stop Leads to THC Seizure

September 28, 2020

Waco – A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper with the help of a Hillsboro PD canine seized approximately 316 grams of THC from a Cadillac passenger car the morning of September 26, 2020 during a traffic stop on I-35 in McLennan County.

At approximately 7 a.m., the Trooper stopped the southbound vehicle for a traffic violation. During the course of the traffic stop, the Hillsboro canine alerted on the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed of more than 80 boxes of THC cartridges within the vehicle. In addition to the THC cartridges, THC edibles and THC cigars were found.

The driver – Emilio Valentin, 20, of Kansas – and passengers – Juan Castellanos, 23, Michael Elias, 20, and Damian Ramirez, 18, of Kansas – were arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance. All four suspects were transported to the McLennan County Jail.

This is an ongoing investigation and further details are not available.

### (DPS-Central Texas Region)