JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.
Last month, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Honda Civic on U.S. Highway 75 near 126th Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
During the traffic stop, the driver, identified as 44-yeara-old Leonel Palma-Perez of Omaha, Nebraska, was found to allegedly be operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license and without required vehicle liability insurance.
After Palma-Perez was placed under arrest, the deputy deployed a Police Service Dog (PSD) to conduct a free-air sniff of the vehicle. During the sniff, the PSD reportedly alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle.
A subsequent probable-cause search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, multiple fraudulent identification cards from several states, and multiple fraudulent Social Security cards.
Palma-Perez was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail. He is being held on requested charges of Possession of a narcotic or certain stimulant, K.S.A. 21-5706(a)(c)(1); Use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, K.S.A. 21-5709(b)(2)(E3); Driving while suspended, K.S.A. 8-262(a)(1)(1); and Failure to maintain required vehicle liability insurance, K.S.A. 40-3104.
Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues, according to Sheriff Morse.