It is important for those who travel by motor vehicle in Texas to understand that what they say to a police officer during a traffic stop may affect the outcome of the situation. This is not just true for drivers; if a passenger in the vehicle speaks to police, it can also influence the officer’s decisions. A recent traffic stop led to the arrest of two people on suspicion of drug crimes when the driver and passenger apparently said two different things to the police officer who had pulled the vehicle over.
Police officer became suspicious after speaking with vehicle occupants
A 42-year-old woman was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that was reportedly stopped for a traffic violation. A 43-year-old man was a passenger in the vehicle. The police officer who made the stop later stated that he became suspicious after speaking with both people because their stories were conflicting.
The driver is said to have consented to a vehicle search
Something that the vehicle occupants said prompted the police officer to request a search of the vehicle, and the driver is said to have consented to the search. In most cases, it is acceptable for a driver to request a validly authorized search warrant before allowing a police officer to search his or her vehicle. In this case, the officer searched the vehicle and claims to have discovered a substantial amount of cocaine in a hidden compartment.
Laboratory testing is required before a substance can be submitted as evidence
Both the driver and passenger were taken into police custody and charged with aggravated drug trafficking. If a Texas prosecutor wishes to submit a seized substance as evidence in court, the substance must first be tested in a laboratory to prove that it is, in fact, an illegal drug. Anyone facing drug charges at this time may request a meeting with an experienced criminal defense attorney before court proceedings begin.