Dropped blunt leads police to over 1,000 grams of cocaine

Pinehurst resident Pete M. Hernandez, 40, was indicted on Oct. 4 by a Jefferson County Grand Jury for possession of a controlled substance greater than 400 grams, a first-degree felony.

According to the probable cause affida- vit for Hernandez’s arrest, Jefferson County Sheriff Deputy C. Mitchell conducted a routine traffic stop on IH-10 near the FM 365 exit on Jan. 28, 2022, just after noon. Upon making contact with the driver, Hernandez, the officer reportedly observed body language and mannerisms he recognized as someone being deceptive. Hernandez gave verbal consent for the officer to search inside the vehicle and, during the search, Mitchell discovered a hand-rolled cigar filled with marijuana on the back floorboard.

After placing Hernandez in the patrol car, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper arrived on the scene with a K9 officer that alerted positive for an odor.

Upon further searching, a large bundle of cocaine was found concealed inside the right rear passenger seat, subsequently weighing 1,177 grams.