California man arrested with a pound of meth Monday

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Luis Enrique Romero-Lopez, 22, of Campo, California, was arrested Monday on charges of controlled substance violation, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, keeping premises or vehicle for controlled substance violation and failure to affix drug stamp.

A California man was arrested Monday afternoon on U.S. Interstate 80 allegedly with a pound a meth.

Luis Enrique Romero-Lopez, 22, of 1212 Coast Oak Trail, Campo, California, was charged with controlled substance violation, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, keeping premises or vehicle for controlled substance violation and failure to affix drug stamp.

The incident began about 3:45 p.m. Monday near the 105 mile marker of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2016 Kia Forte with California plates for a traffic violation.

According to court records, the trooper made contact with Romero-Lopez and allegedly “could smell the distinct odor of raw marijuana emanating from the passenger compartment.”

Romero-Lopez “admitted to being in possession of marijuana,” according to court records, and the trooper found a container holding about 2 grams of marijuana in Romero-Lopez’s pocket.

A probable-cause search of the vehicle disclosed one pound of crystal methamphetamine in “a plastic shopping bag wrapped in a shirt under the front passenger seat,” according to court records.

Romero-Lopez allegedly “admitted the substance was one pound of crystal methamphetamine that he was transporting across the country for financial gain.”

Romero-Lopez is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $25,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 23 in Dallas County District Court.

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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