A traffic stop by an Austin County Sheriff's deputy on Interstate 10 on March 2, and a joint investigation between agencies led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a large amount of narcotics. During night time hours of March 2, a 2008 Ford SUV was stopped at the west - bound 721-mile marker of Inter state 10 for a traffic violation. The vehicle's driver was identified as Jorge Luis-Ugarte, 24, and the passenger as Jose Gomez-Jaimes, 40.
During the course of the traf - fic stop, it was discovered that the driver Luis-Ugarte, did not possess a valid driver's license. Deputies and officers observed several indicators during the stop that led them to request a search of the vehicle. A Sealy Police Department K9 unit was utilized at the scene. SPD K9 "Apollo" conducted a free air sniff and gave a positive alert on the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately eight pounds of black tar heroin. The street value of the black tar heroin is approximately $350,000. Both driver and passenger were arrested and booked into the Austin County Jail for the charge of Manufacturing/Deliv - ery of Controlled Substance PG 1/1-A >400 gram. The San Felipe Police Department, Austin County Sheriff's Office and Sealy Police Department participated in the traffic stop and roadside investigation.
