(Estherville)– A traffic stop Monday in Estherville conducted as part of a narcotics investigation resulted in the arrests of three men.
Estherville police say officers pulled over a suspect vehicle in the 400 block of West Central Avenue in Estherville. Upon investigating it was determined one of the occupants, 26-year-old Jose Barajas was an illegal alien who had been previously deported from Estherville and had illegally re-entered the country.
A subsequent search involving the Estherville Police Department’s K9 Unit resulted in officers turning up what’s alleged to be illegal drugs, including a large quantity of methamphetamine…ICE…and cocaine. The drugs have an estimated street value of nearly $3,000.
Barajas was taken into custody on charges of possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to deliver and a drug tax stamp violation.
23-year-old Carlos Roberto Sorto of Estherville was also arrested. He was charged with forgery, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine; a drug tax stamp violation; and failure to post security against liability. He’s being held in the Emmet county jail on a $147,500 cash or surety bond.
As part of the same investigation, officers went to a residence at 121 North 18th Street in Estherville. A subsequent search of that apartment resulted in authorities taking what’s described as “items of interest”. 25-year-old Juan Lozano Morales was arrested and charged with interference with official acts. Police say the K9 Unit had to be used to help detain Morales when he attempted to flee.
All three men are also being held on Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers.
Estherville police were assisted by the Iowa Great Lakes Drug Task Force, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa State Patrol.
