Pubdate: Wed, 29 Aug 2001
Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2001 Fayetteville Observer-Times
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/foto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: Todd Leskanic, Staff writer

DEPUTIES SEIZE 14 POUNDS OF DRUGS IN I-95 STOP

Cumberland County sheriff's deputies seized more than 14 pounds of cocaine 
during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 95 Tuesday afternoon. Lt. Sam 
Pennica said Jose Vazquez and Manuel Fernandez were charged with 
trafficking by possession, trafficking by transportation and conspiracy to 
traffic cocaine.

Pennica said the men were driving north when deputies stopped the white 
1988 Toyota Camry for a seat belt violation.

The men agreed to let deputies search the trunk, Pennica said. Deputies 
found six bags of cocaine, four of which were covered in yellow mustard, he 
said. Pennica said mustard is often used by drug smugglers to cover up the 
drug's odor. The cocaine was found in a blue shopping bag.

Vazquez is 36 and Fernandez is 27. Both are from the Bronx, N.Y., and told 
sheriff's investigators they were driving from Miami to New York.

Fernandez told investigators that he is a police officer in the Dominican 
Republic. The car has a Patrolmen's Benevolent Association tag on the front 
windshield and an anti-drug baseball cap on the back dashboard.

The Drug Enforcement Agency has been asked to aid the sheriff's office in 
the investigation, Pennica said.

Fernandez and Vazquez were being held in the Cumberland County jail without 
bond Tuesday night.
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