BENTON COUNTY (KNWA)– A man is facing multiple drug and weapons charges after police found meth, cash and a gun in his car during a traffic stop.
Rafael Munoz was arrested on Saturday for possession with the purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and driving with a suspended license.
Around 2:00 a.m., a deputy pulled over Munoz’s Kia SUV for a broken tail light. The deputy reported seeing Munoz “frantically moving around and bending over in his seat” before pulling over.
During the stop, the deputy said Munoz was breathing heavily and couldn’t sit still, acting extremely nervous and repeatedly looking around, randomly stating he was looking for his license. Munoz admitted to the deputy that his license was suspended and that there was a warrant out for his arrest. After he stepped out of the car, the deputy noticed a small bag of meth in Munoz’s hand as he tried to handcuff him.
While completing a tow inventory of the vehicle, the deputy searched the car, finding $4323.00 in cash, a loaded .380 caliber semi-auto pistol and four plastic containers that were full of what tested later to be methamphetamine. The deputy also reported finding a set of digital scales with white residue, another plastic bag containing a white crystal substance, field testing as methamphetamine, and a glass meth pipe with residue that was wrapped in a paper towel.
During an interview with investigators, Munoz said the gun was given to him by his drug supplier for protection and the cash had been given to him by clients for methamphetamine in addition to profits from drug sales.
Munoz was booked to the Benton County Jail and is being held on $75,000 bond.
Rafael Munoz was arrested on Saturday for possession with the purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and driving with a suspended license.
Around 2:00 a.m., a deputy pulled over Munoz’s Kia SUV for a broken tail light. The deputy reported seeing Munoz “frantically moving around and bending over in his seat” before pulling over.
During the stop, the deputy said Munoz was breathing heavily and couldn’t sit still, acting extremely nervous and repeatedly looking around, randomly stating he was looking for his license. Munoz admitted to the deputy that his license was suspended and that there was a warrant out for his arrest. After he stepped out of the car, the deputy noticed a small bag of meth in Munoz’s hand as he tried to handcuff him.
While completing a tow inventory of the vehicle, the deputy searched the car, finding $4323.00 in cash, a loaded .380 caliber semi-auto pistol and four plastic containers that were full of what tested later to be methamphetamine. The deputy also reported finding a set of digital scales with white residue, another plastic bag containing a white crystal substance, field testing as methamphetamine, and a glass meth pipe with residue that was wrapped in a paper towel.
During an interview with investigators, Munoz said the gun was given to him by his drug supplier for protection and the cash had been given to him by clients for methamphetamine in addition to profits from drug sales.
Munoz was booked to the Benton County Jail and is being held on $75,000 bond.
