Drugs, pistol found during traffic stop

By Jim Tiffin
Staff Writer

GRANTS — About 1:40 p.m., Sunday, at the intersection of Second Street and Stephens, Grants Police were sitting at a stop sign and observed a 1991 Chevrolet Blazer fail to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, according to Cibola County Magistrate Court records.

Because of the violation, Officer Monica Porter stopped the vehicle and found drugs, drug paraphernalia and a handgun, according to court records.

Arrested were David Hicks, 40, of 619 San Jose Drive, and Daniel Lemos, 30, of a post officer box, both of Grants.

Hicks was arrested in connection with one felony count each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a handgun.

Additional charges are possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, failure to stop at a stop sign, open container and no proof of registration and a warrant for his arrest, according to court records.

He faces 7.5 years in state prison, a $20,000 fine or both, if prosecuted and convicted of the felonies.

Lemos was arrested in connection with one felony count each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence.

Additional charges are possession of drug paraphernalia and two warrants for his arrest, police said.

He faces 6 years and a $15,000 fine in state prison if he is prosecuted and convicted of the felonies.

"Officers searched the vehicle incident to the arrest," Sgt. Maxine Spidle said.

Magistrate Court records state that when the Blazer was stopped the driver, Hicks, got out of the vehicle and started to walk toward Porter "in a nervous state." She got out of her police unit while calling for additional officers.

Porter learned through contacting dispatch that there was a warrant from the Milan police department for his arrest. She placed him under arrest and while searching him found $480.

During a search of the vehicle, with the other two passengers, Lemos and Cassandra Candelaria, out of the Blazer, Sgt. Ken Dobbs found a bottle of pills and a needle. There was also a glass vial with what appeared to be methamphetamine inside the Blazer.

A black pouch containing a scale, a small bag of what appeared to be methamphetamine, a black 9 mm handgun with the serial number filed off and an open bottle of Southern Comfort were also found in the Blazer.

The alleged drugs were tested at the police station and determined to be 8 grams of methamphetamine.

Hicks and Lemos were booked into Cibola County Detention Center and after initial appearances before Magistrate Court Judge Eliseo Alcon Tuesday, had a $25,000 secured bond placed on Hicks and a $5,000 secured bond placed on Lemos.

Both face a preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court on Oct. 18.

Candelaria was cited for not using a seat belt.