Irving Police Find Meth Hidden in Suspect's Underwear After Traffic Stop Leads to Gun, Drug Arrest
IRVING, Texas - A 37-year-old man was arrested after a motorist reported a vehicle swerving along State Highway 183 in Irving, leading police to recover methamphetamine, a handgun and marijuana, according to an Irving Police report.
Officer Kasey Campbell responded around 2:05 p.m. Sept. 11 to the area of Esters Road and SH-183 after a caller reported being concerned about another driver's behavior. The caller told dispatchers the driver appeared possibly intoxicated, was swerving on the highway, nearly caused several crashes and drove onto the shoulder.
Campbell located the reported gray Nissan Maxima near West Rochelle Road and Esters Road and began following it. The caller, who had continued following the Nissan, confirmed to dispatch that Campbell was behind the correct vehicle.
After following the car for a short distance, Campbell conducted a traffic stop near Portland Street and Finley Road.
Police identified the driver and sole occupant as Julian Vicente, 37.
During the investigation, Vicente got out of the vehicle and consented to a pat-down for weapons, according to the police report. Campbell reported finding a pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine in Vicente's pocket.
Police then searched the Nissan and found a .22-caliber pistol inside a crossbody bag on the front passenger-side floorboard and marijuana near the center console. Officers also found $783 in another of Vicente's pockets.
Vicente was arrested and taken to the Irving Jail. After he entered the jail's main area and was instructed to change clothes, jail employees discovered a bag concealed in his underwear containing 6.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine, according to police.
A records check showed Vicente had a 2007 felony robbery conviction. Although more than five years had passed since the applicable period cited in the police report, Texas law restricts a person with a felony conviction from possessing a firearm away from the premises where the person lives after that five-year period. Police said Vicente was the Nissan's only occupant and had immediate access to the gun.
Investigators also found Vicente had five outstanding misdemeanor warrants from Grand Prairie Police and two misdemeanor warrants from Duncanville Police.
Irving Police charged Vicente with possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 between 4 and 200 grams, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, taking a controlled substance into a correctional facility and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
