Two suspects charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver, illegal gun possession | Pierce County Prosecutor

On Monday the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office charged Javier Gonzalez Lopez, 32, Jose Adelaido Arujo Diaz, 29, and two co-defendants with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

February 8, 2017 9:13 am

On Monday the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office charged Javier Gonzalez Lopez, 32, Jose Adelaido Arujo Diaz, 29, and two co-defendants with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Ten pounds of crystal methamphetamine was found in a secret compartment inside the vehicle.

Gonzalez Lopez and Diaz were also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

“This is one of the largest methamphetamine seizures ever in Pierce County,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

On the evening of February 2, 2017, officers of the Lakewood Police Department conducted a traffic stop of an SUV they had reason to believe was involved in illegal drug activity. Officers stopped the vehicle while traveling northbound on Interstate 5.

At the time of the traffic stop, there were four occupants in the vehicle; Gonzalez Lopez was identified as the driver of the vehicle. Co-defendants Diaz, Jose Tellez Gonzalez, 29, and Cassandra Lyn Snipes, 29, were passengers in the vehicle.

After Gonzalez Lopez refused to exit the vehicle, officers physically removed him and placed him into custody. On his person, officers recovered a loaded, .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Lopez informed officers that he is a Mexican national. A records check of the serial number located on the handgun revealed that it had been reported stolen.

While contacting co-defendant Diaz, officers found a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his waistband and he was arrested. Diaz informed officers that he is also a Mexican national and has been in the United States for just the past couple of months.

Following their arrest, officers impounded the vehicle and discovered a hidden compartment. Inside the compartment, officers recovered a plastic bag containing approximately ten pounds of a crystalline substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Bail is set at $150,000.00 for Gonzalez Lopez and at $250,000.00 for Diaz.

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.