[[{“value”:”
ROCK VALLEY—Two Rock Valley men were arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop about 5:20 p.m. Monday, May 26, near Rock Valley.
The arrest of 22-year-old Jasser Ali Vargas-Merlo and 20-year-old Nilson Gustavo Chavez-Felipe stemmed from the stop of a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox clocked at 71 mph on Highway 18 near Dogwood Avenue about two miles west of Rock Valley, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
The strong odor of marijuana was detected by the trooper upon approaching the passenger side of the vehicle.
Vargas-Merlo, the driver, and Chavez-Felipe, a passenger, admitted to possessing marijuana and smoking it. Vargas-Merlo admitted to smoking marijuana shortly before being stopped, according to the incident report.
Vargas-Merlo had impaired balance and failed field sobriety tests.
Chavez-Felipe admitted to possessing the marijuana found in a black backpack, which he was holding when the trooper approached.
Plastic containers and blunts used for marijuana and a vape with THC oil inside were found in the vehicle.
Vargas-Merlo was charged with first-offense operating while under the influence, first-offense possession of a controlled substance — marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
”}]] ROCK VALLEY—Two Rock Valley men were arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop about 5:20 p.m. Monday, May 26, near Rock Valley. Read More
