Two arrested Sunday when traffic stop leads to search warrant, drug bust

Bardstown Police Officers Eric Williamson, left and Jeremy Cauley display more than $30,000 in cash, drugs and weapons seized during a search warrant Sunday (click to enlarge). Photos submitted.

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, 10 a.m. — Two people were arrested early Sunday morning after a traffic stop for cancelled license plates led to a substantial drug bust.

At about 12:25 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, Bardstown Police Officer Jeremy Cauley stopped a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche operated by Joshua Salazar, 25, of Loretto, for a canceled license plate on the vehicle.

During the traffic stop, Cauley determined Salazar’s operators license was suspended and he had active Marion County arrest warrants. A police department press release states the officer noted a strong smell of marijuana coming from Salazar’s vehicle. Police said Salazar had an oxycodone pill and approximately $3,071 on him.

After receiving consent to search the vehicle, police located two marijuana joints in the ashtray; 52.7 grams of cocaine; a loaded .380 caliber handgun; and two additional oxycodone pills located in a hidden compartment inside the vehicle.

As a result of the traffic stop, Bardstown Officer Eric Williamson obtained a search warrant for the North Third Street residence Salazar shared with Tess Holbrook, 23, of Bardstown. At the apartment, officers found 4 grams of cocaine; one AR-15 rifle; a hunting rifle, a .380 caliber handgun; an HK 40 handgun; a large amount of ammunition; several loaded high-capacity magazines; and approximately $27,048 in cash.

Salazar was arrested and charged with first-degree trafficking in controlled substances; carrying a concealed deadly weapon; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of controlled substances, second-degree;operating on a suspended operators license; no registration plates; failure to maintain insurance; in addition to the existing Marion County warrant.

Holbrook was charged with one count of trafficking in controlled substances, first-degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Bardstown Police, (502) 348-6811 or Nelson County Dispatch, (502) 348-3211.

-30-