WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — A late-night traffic stop in Walton County led to the arrest of a Santa Rosa Beach man on multiple drug-related charges, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
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The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped a truck just after 10 p.m. on January 12 after the driver reportedly rolled through a stop sign on J.D. Miller Road near Frito Lane.
The driver was identified as 27-year-old Pablo Oviedo.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana and observed a blunt tucked behind the driver’s left ear. Deputies also reported seeing a pouch in the center console labeled “THC Gummies.”
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Based on those observations, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
During the search, deputies reportedly located several small baggies containing a white powdery substance. Mr Oviedo was placed under arrest, and a subsequent search of his clothing allegedly revealed additional baggies containing a similar substance.
A presumptive field test returned a positive result for cocaine, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators said a total of 32 small baggies were recovered with a combined weight of approximately 44.7 grams.
Deputies also reported locating a firearm and U.S. currency totaling $5,772 inside the vehicle. In addition, a small brown bag containing an off-white substance weighing approximately 3.7 grams was found. Mr Oviedo told deputies the substance was THC wax.
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Mr Oviedo was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said it confirmed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that Mr Oviedo is a U.S. citizen.
He was later released from custody on a $50,000 bond.
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