People using their vehicles for drug trafficking is a significant issue. Luckily, various law enforcement agencies have ways to combat this issue. Recently, a traffic stop in Florida uncovered a major drug operation, and now, three people are behind bars with massive sentences. Of course, this is just one reason police traffic stops are so important for public safety.

This traffic stop unearthed a massive drug enterprise

According to CBS 12 News, police officers in Martin County tried to conduct a traffic stop on Juiber Ochoa, 28. However, as many drivers do, he continued driving instead of stopping. Co. Sheriff William Snyder had this to say, “They were right there at the Sheriff’s Office, so it was like kicking over a beehive. Number two, they were in Martin County, where we’re pretty good at catching people that run from us.”

The pursuing officers continued to try to make the traffic stop but then ended the case to preserve public safety. However, they eventually decided to station other police cars and devices to deflate tires in the path the runaway vehicle was heading. Notably, the car was headed through Palm City. Eventually, the deflation devices worked, and the driver continued going for as long as he could. However, this is when he and a passenger, Charles Cocuzza, 29, are said to have tried to escape by running on foot. They left behind Nicollette Giordano, 23. 

The two individuals running from the traffic stop didn’t end things. Naturally, the police department began a manhunt with assistance from the K-9 unit. Officers first found the driver and later located the passenger hiding in a ditch. After searching the vehicle, authorities found fentanyl, meth, MDNA, cocaine, and several stolen credit cards. 

Sheriff William Snyder has a few theories about the drugs uncovered during the traffic stop. He says, “Either A: There’s a big lab somewhere that’s producing meth, or this came across the border. Our theory is they were here to deliver some, if not all, of that narcotic.”

The driver has a bond of $1,635,000, $1,830,000 for the passenger, and $1,435,250 for the person they left behind while running on foot. The three people are being charged with drug trafficking.