SINAJANA — A routine traffic stop in Sinajana escalated into a significant drug arrest early Wednesday morning, resulting in three people being taken into custody.
According to a magistrate’s complaint, 38-year-old Abby Marie Perez Santos was pulled over for driving a vehicle with expired registration near the Sinajana Mobil gas station. Officers noted suspicious behavior inside the car and initiated further investigation.
Two passengers, Anthony Mafnas Concepcion Jr., 35, and Heather Lynn Cepeda Cruz, 27, were both found to have open cases against them. When Santos refused a vehicle search, officers deployed a drug detection dog, which signaled the presence of narcotics.
Police recovered a backpack containing cocaine and a meth pipe linked to Santos. Concepcion was also found with a meth pipe and residue, and officers located over five grams of methamphetamine under his seat. Cruz was taken into custody on unrelated misdemeanor charges.
If convicted, Santos faces up to 10 years in prison, Concepcion up to 5 years, and Cruz up to 2 years. Santos and Cruz were released on personal recognizance, while Concepcion remains in custody.
