Three arrested on drug charges

A reckless driver report led to the arrest of three people on drug charges Thursday.

Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received a call reporting a black Toyota southbound at the 31 mile marker. The caller said the car was passing in no passing zones and speeding recklessly. Deputy Ken Fricke spotted the car at the 30 mile marker and began to follow it. The car was consistently over the speed limit, at one point traveling 60 miles per hour in the 45 mile per hour Key Deer zone on Big Pine Key. Deputy Fricke stopped the car at the 24.5 mile marker.

When he approached the car, he could smell marijuana. He called for backup officers and then asked the driver, 22 year old Pedro Ayala of North Lauderdale, for his driver’s license. Ayala said he’d never had one. The front passenger was identified as 27 year old Luis Ayala of Key West and the back seat passenger as 24 year old Meshack Walker of Miami.

Deputy Fricke asked the driver about the odor of marijuana. Pedro Ayala then handed over a plastic bag with marijuana inside.

Lt. Gene Thompson arrived as back up. As Deputy Fricke was checking the car’s occupants through police databases, the driver jumped out of the car and attempted to flee. Deputy Fricke chased him. During the chase, Ayala turned around and began to reach for his waistband. Fearing Ayala had a gun, Deputy Fricke used his Taser and disabled Ayala, who was then taken into custody.

A search of the two passengers and the vehicle turned up unidentified homemade pills which will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing. Deputies also found 15 grams of powdered cocaine, three grams of crack cocaine and four grams of Heroin.

Pedro Ayala was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, driving with no license and resisting arrest. Luis Ayala was charged with possession of marijuana, Heroin and cocaine and Walker was charged with possession of marijuana.

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