Three people were arrested in Winder this past Friday when officers saw what they thought was a drug exchange in the middle of the street.
Capt. Chris Cooper with the Winder Police Department said the incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on Elm Street. Cooper said two vehicles were illegally stopped in the roadway.
"Just prior to the stop, the officers observed the drivers from each vehicle exchanging two book bags," Cooper wrote in a press statement.
Cooper said the officers stopped both vehicles and questioned the drivers. He said they gave conflicting statements about why they were stopped in the middle of the road.
"While speaking to one of the drivers, an officer smelled burned marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and the driver later admitted to smoking and possessing marijuana," Copper said.
At that point, the officers searched the vehicle and found suspected marijuana and a large quantity of what appeared to be methamphetamine inside a book bag. The discovery of the book bag led to the search of the second vehicle, since the officer had seen the book bag exchange prior to the traffic stop.
"During that search, more suspected methamphetamines, marijuana and a firearm were located along with a large quantity of cash," Cooper said.
Cooper said the total weight of the meth was two pounds.
The three suspects and the charges they face are as follows:
Gloria Portillo, 25, of Winder:
- Trafficking methamphetamine
- Possession of methamphetamine w/intent w/in 1000 feet of government housing
- Possession of marijuana less 1oz
- Wrong side of the road
- Drug related objects
- Stopping in the roadway
David Villanueva, 18, of Lithia Springs:
- Trafficking methamphetamine
- Possession of methamphetamine w/intent w/in 1000 feet of government housing
- Possession of marijuana less 1oz
- Possession of firearm during commission of felony
Yolanda Mata-Mandez, 17, of Marietta:
- Trafficking methamphetamine
- Possession of methamphetamine w/intent w/in 1000 feet of government housing
- Possession of marijuana less 1oz
- Possession of firearm during commission of felony
- Possession of firearm by person under 18
Cooper said additional criminal charges may be filed in the case.
