Three Arrested on Drug Charges

Three men were arrested on drug related charges after two separate traffic stops Thursday by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and Brownwood Police Department.

Thursday afternoon, BCSO investigators James Stroope and Jason Benefield were working on an ongoing investigation when they came across a vehicle at the intersection of Lakeway and Belle Plain which committed a traffic violation of not signaling a turn.  The vehicle pulled over at the old Food Plaza location on Belle Plain for the traffic stop.

According to BCSO officials, the occupants were identified as 24-year-old Elias Partida of Bangs (the driver) and 26-year-old Abelehza Hererra of Goldthwaite (the passenger).   When the investigators asked to search the vehicle, Partida refused prompting Investigator Stroope to request K-9 officer, Izzy, who alerted to possible drugs in the vehicle, reported Benefield.  Brownwood Police officers arrived and assisted in the traffic stop.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a meth pipe along with numerous baggies of methamphetamine totaling a quantity greater than 20g, which was believed to be packaged for distribution, according to Investigator Benefield.

Partida and Herrera were each arrested on charges of Manufacture Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Grade 1 greater or equal to 4g less than 200 grams.

A short time later, in a separate incident, BCSO Investigator Carlisle Gover and a Brownwood Police Department narcotics officer made a stop on a vehicle with several individuals inside it who were known to be associated with Partida and Hererra, according to law enforcement officials.  Benefield explained that this stop led to the arrest of 26-year-old Miguel Lara, who was found to have a quantity of methamphetamine in his shoe.

Lara was arrested for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Grade 1 greater than 1g less than 4g in a Drug Free Zone.

According to both agencies, BCSO and BPD investigators worked well together along with the help of the K-9 officer Izzy to net these drug arrests.

“Brownwood Police Department and Izzy worked together with us on these arrests.  We got a couple of heavy hitting drug dealers off the streets,” stated Benefield.  “Both Partida and Herrerra were on parole for previous offenses.”

“We’re enjoying the continued cooperation between agencies,” stated Assistant Chief James Fuller.  “It’s nice to have agencies that work together.”