Storm Lake authorities made two arrests involving the intended distribution of illegal drugs last weekend. The first incident was reported at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday when the Storm Lake Police Department was called to the 1000 block of West Milwaukee Avenue for a welfare check on an individual sleeping in a vehicle. Upon arrival and after speaking with the occupant, 35-year-old Jose Fernandez of Storm Lake, a K-9 was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle. A search uncovered substances suspected to be methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine as well as packaging materials, drug equipment and a large knife. Fernandez has been charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a class C felony, carrying weapons, an aggravated misdemeanor, first offense possession of marijuana and first-offense possession of cocaine, serious misdemeanors, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. He was transported to the Buena Vista county jail and held on a $9,300 bond. The second incident was reported at approximately 4:30 p.m. Sunday when an officer performed a traffic stop for a violation. A K-9 was deployed and alerted. The search uncovered an estimated half-pound of marijuana and packaging materials. The two occupants of the vehicle, 31-year-old William Richard Cole of Laurens and 52-year-old Francisco Escareno of Davis, Calif., were charged with controlled substance violations and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, class D felonies, keeping premises or a vehicle for controlled substance use, aggravated misdemeanors, and possession of drug paraphernalia, simple misdemeanors. The men were held on $12,300 bonds each. An investigation is ongoing.
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