Man in US illegally caught in Newark with 185 grams of meth
A man who was previously deported from the United States and re-entered illegally has been charged with possessing about 185 grams of methamphetamine in Newark.
Lucio Hinojosa Hernandez, 34, of Columbus, was arrested Monday after detectives with the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force observed his vehicle at a known drug location.
He was charged Tuesday morning with aggravated possession of drugs, a first-degree felony.
Court records show Hernandez's vehicle was observed arriving at the residence, which was in Newark, and then leaving a short time later.
After a traffic violation, officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the area of Ohio 79 and Union Street.
Hernandez, who was a passenger, was identified as the owner of the vehicle. A canine alerted to possible drugs inside the vehicle, court records show, and a search was conducted.
During the search, about 185 grams of methamphetamine were located in the floorboard in the backseat on the passenger side.
Court records show Hernandez was deported from the United States in 2010 and has since reentered the country illegally. He currently has a holder warrant from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and immigration.
The driver of the vehicle has not been charged.
During a bond hearing Tuesday afternoon, Hernandez said he wanted a translator, but knew enough English to participate in the bond hearing.
He said the drugs were not his and he worked at a popular Mexican restaurant near Easton Town Center.
Magistrate Mattie Klein set Hernandez's bond at $250,000. His case will be reviewed in the coming weeks for possible indictment and additional charges.
Hernandez's arrest comes less than 24 hours before two men originally arrested by Licking County authorities in July were found guilty in Muskingum County of having about 12 pounds of methamphetamine in their possession.
Published by http://www.newarkadvocate.com/