Police in Bethel Township, Berks County, said they discovered about 3 pounds of methamphetamine – worth up to $68,000 if sold on the street – in a compact car driven by a Dauphin County woman after the driver acted out of control. suspicious manner when he was stopped by a police officer.
An officer stopped Nicole Ruiz, 28, of Williamstown around 10 p.m. on July 19 in the 8600 block of Lancaster Avenue, which is Route 501, after checking the vehicle’s registration and discovering that the registered owner had a driver’s license. driver suspended, police said.
According to the police:
While speaking with Ruiz, who was confirmed to own the car, the officer noticed an odor of marijuana.
Ruiz said she did not have a medical marijuana card, became visibly anxious when asked about the odor and began touching the center console. Due to her behavior, she was asked to get out of the car.
Ruiz said there was a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia in the car near the center console, under the radio where she was reaching.
After Ruiz refused to consent to a search, the car was impounded at the police department and a search warrant was requested through District Judge Andrea Book. Ruiz was released pending the outcome of the investigation.
After obtaining the warrant, the investigator found methamphetamine in three bags, each weighing about a pound, in the passenger compartment.
On Thursday, Bethel police obtained an arrest warrant for Ruiz on charges of possession and intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was also charged with a summary count of driving with a suspended license.
Ruiz was taken into custody the same day without incident. She was transported to Book’s office in Jefferson Township, where she was arraigned and booked into the Berks County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
