Faribault Police K9 Nose Points to Fentanyl/Cash Seizure
The Faribault Police Department reports Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at approximately 3:15 a.m. a officer initiated a traffic stop in the 300 block of 7th Street NW.
The stop was executed after the officer observed the known subject, Jose Guadalupe Rios, 39, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license.
The officer knew Rios was wanted on an outstanding warrant from Scott County.
Upon contacting Rios and passenger Gilberto Martinez, 24, Faribault Police Chief John Sherwin says, "Reasonable suspicion was developed to conduct a K9 sniff of the vehicle."
Faribault Police Department K9 "Thor" responded to the scene and immediately alerted on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics.
Officers searched the vehicle and recovered several baggies containing suspected illegal narcotics. 13.5 grams of methamphetamine and an estimated 24.7 grams of powder Fentanyl were recovered.
In addition, over $32,000 in cash was found in the vehicle and seized as evidence.
Rios and Martinez are currently in custody at the Rice County Jail, held on controlled substance sales and possession charges.
The Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force assisted Faribault Police and is continuing to investigate this case.
Chief Sherwin states in the Police Department News Release, "Traffic stops like this demonstrate our officer's commitment to keeping the community safe from illegal drug trafficking, sales, overdoses, and the resulting social harm caused by such activity."