Joint Investigation Leads to Arrest and Seizure of Narcotics during Traffic Stop on Interstate 10.

On March 2nd, 2023, a routine traffic stop on Interstate 10 in Texas led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a large amount of narcotics. The joint investigation between law enforcement agencies including the San Felipe Police Department, Austin County Sheriff’s Office, and Sealy Police Department, proved to be successful as they worked together to uncover the illegal activities of the suspects.

The traffic stop occurred during the night at the westbound 721 mile marker of Interstate 10. The 2008 Ford SUV was pulled over for a traffic violation, and the driver was identified as Jorge Luis-Ugarte, 24, with the passenger being Jose Gomez-Jaimes, 40. Upon checking Luis-Ugarte’s driving credentials, it was discovered that he did not possess a valid driver’s license.

During the course of the traffic stop, the officers observed several indicators that led them to request a search of the vehicle. To assist in the search, the Sealy Police Department K9 unit was called in. The K9 unit, conducted a free air sniff and gave a positive alert on the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately eight pounds of black tar heroin. The discovery of this significant amount of narcotics led to the arrest of both Luis-Ugarte and Gomez-Jaimes. They were subsequently booked into the Austin County Jail on the charge of Manufacturing/Delivery Controlled Substance PG 1/1-A >400 gram.

The successful outcome of this joint investigation between multiple law enforcement agencies highlights the importance of teamwork and cooperation in combating criminal activities. The use of the K9 unit and other resources played a vital role in the seizure of the narcotics and the arrest of the suspects.

The San Felipe Police Department, Austin County Sheriff’s Office, and Sealy Police Department are commended for their efforts in preventing the distribution of illegal drugs and maintaining the safety of their communities. The arrest of these suspects and the seizure of the narcotics will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the fight against drug trafficking in the area.