A Minnesota man was arrested Thursday afternoon after he was allegedly found in possession of more than two pounds of cocaine while traveling eastward on U.S. Interstate 80.
Eddie Andy Ponce, 32, of 2335 Maryland Ave. E., Maplewood, Minnesota, was charged with controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp, keeping premises or vehicle for controlled substance violation and first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana.
The incident began about 3 p.m. Thursday near the 103 mile marker of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a speeding 2020 Dodge Journey.
The trooper made contact with the driver, Ponce, and allegedly “gained reasonable articulable suspicion to believe he was engaging in criminal activity,” according to court records.
A K9 unit was dispatched to the scene, and the animal allegedly “provided a positive indication to the vehicle for the odor of narcotics.”
A search of the vehicle allegedly disclosed “approximately 2.2 pounds of cocaine, three small dispensary containers of marijuana and approximately $4,048 in US currency in the
center console,” according to court records.
Ponce is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 22 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until and unless proven guilty.
