PRESS RELEASE
On Monday 03/06/2017, Sgt. Philip Hester
with the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, along with Sgt.
Michael Ferrel with the Criminal Investigation Division, conducted a traffic
stop on Allenhurst Rd. near Hasema Rd. which is located on the east side of
Matagorda County.
The vehicle was a 2003
Buick Century driven by Raul Arana, 24 years old, and had a passenger in the
vehicle named Brandon Zamora, 23 years old.
Sgt. Hester deployed K9 Officer Maximus who did a free air search around
the vehicle and gave a positive alert for narcotics. Sgt. Hester performed a search of the vehicle
and located a large amount of synthetic marijuana in the trunk.
Raul Arana and Brandon Zamora were arrested
and each charged with Possession of the synthetic marijuana which is a 1st
degree Felony.
Synthetic marijuana is
classified as a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 2. Brandon Zamora was also charged with
possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces which is a Class B Misdemeanor.
The synthetic marijuana weighed a little over
3.5 pounds. The 2003 Buick Century along
with $312.00 in cash will be kept pending seizure.

Sheriff Skipper Osborne said a Job well
done by Sgt. Hester, Sgt. Ferrel, and K9 Maximus.
Matagorda
County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. James
Orr
03/08/2017