Traffic stop leads to narcotics arrest near Fale Hot Springs
To: All News Outlets
From: Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer
Date: December 2, 2014
RE: Traffic stop leads to narcotics arrest
On the morning of Saturday, November 29th, 2014, at approximately 7:30am, Mono County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling southbound on Hwy 395 near SR 108 and Fale Hot Springs.
Bertin Cortez-Guzman, age 27, of Reedly, CA, and Jose Becerra-Cortez, age 18, also of Reedly, CA, were stopped by deputies on southbound Hwy 395 near SR 108 and Fale Hot Springs for speeding. When the driver, Mr. Cortez-Guzman, was asked for his driver’s license, he provided deputies with his Mexican Consulate Card as he did not have a California driver’s license. Both Mr. Cortez-Guzman and Mr. Becerra-Cortez were asked to exit the vehicle. Upon a vehicle search, a medium sized black and blue nylon case was located in the center console of the vehicle. Deputies became suspicious and called for the narcotics detection K-9.
K-9 Tara alerted to the exterior of the vehicle, and once deployed inside the vehicle, she alerted to the center console compartment and revealed methamphetamine. Inside the nylon bag were twenty six (26) individually wrapped plastic baggies containing methamphetamine.
After further investigation, it was determined that Mr. Cortez-Guzman and Mr. Becerra-Cortez were traveling from Reedly, CA, to Mammoth Lakes, CA, to meet a buyer and sell the pre-packaged methamphetamine.
Jose Becerra-Cortez, age 18, of Reedly, CA, was arrested for 11378 HS (possession of a controlled substance for sale) and 11379 (A) HS (transportation of a controlled substance).
Bertin Cortez-Guzman, age 27, of Reedly, CA, was arrested for 12500 (A) VC (driving without a license); 11377 (A) HS (possession of a controlled substance); 11378 HS (possession of a controlled substance for sale); and 11379 (A) HS (transportation of a controlled substance). Mr. Cortez-Guzman is currently in custody at the Mono County Jail.
All charges for Mr. Becerra-Cortez and Mr. Cortez-Guzman are pending with the Mono County District Attorney’s Office.
