CHP Finds Drugs on Sonoma Man Pulled Over For Using High Beams

A Sonoma man was arrested early this morning on drug possession
charges after he was stopped for driving with his high beam headlights on, a
California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

CHP officers stopped the Lexus driven by Israel Ramiro Alvarado,
28, on Bennett Valley Road west of Warm Springs Road near Kenwood around 12:30 a.m., CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

Alvarado could not produce an identification, registration or insurance, Sloat said. He verbally identified himself and showed the officers copies of previous traffic citations and a failure to appear in Sonoma County Superior Court notice, Sloat said.

A record check determined Alvarado's license was suspended and he has five convictions in three years for driving while his license was suspended, Sloat said.

Alvarado also is on felony probation, Sloat said.

The CHP officers saw two large plastic bags full of what appeared to be marijuana in the Lexus, Sloat said. Alvarado was then arrested for driving without a license and the officers searched his vehicle, Sloat said.

A bag containing methamphetamine was found in Alvarado's front pocket and multiple bags of marijuana and hash packaged for sale were found in the Lexus, Sloat said.

The officers also found prescription medications, including Vicodin and Alprazolam, a glass pipe used for smoke methamphetamine and an illegal firework capable of firing exploding projectiles, Sloat said.

Alvarado was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of violating probation and driving with a suspended license and for possession of methamphetamine, concentrated cannabis, hydrocodone, a destructive device, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and prescription medication, Sloat said.

Bay City News