Hunter
03/25/24
A traffic stop in North Liberty has led to the arrest of two area men for drug possession.
According to police, a vehicle was observed pulling off of 275th Street onto Dubuque Street at around 3:50 am Sunday. The vehicle then pulled down Petersen Place, moving slowly down the dead-end street.
The vehicle was stopped, and 38-year-old Jose Lopez-Martinez of Coralville was identified as the driver. It was discovered that he had no valid driver’s license. His passenger, identified as 57-year-old Raymond Cox of Oskaloosa, also lacked a valid license.
While waiting for a valid driver, a K9 was employed, and alerted to drugs in the vehicle. A search ensued, and officers allegedly found a black case with a meth pipe containing residue, and a clear baggie containing a substance believed to be meth. Neither Lopez-Martinez or Cox admitted to ownership of the contraband.
Lopez-Martinez was charged with a controlled substance violation and possession of drug paraphernalia; Cox was charged with 3rd offense controlled substance violation and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted on the charges, Lopez-Martinez could be sentenced to 13 months; Cox faces a sentence of over five years.