Brake light, burned pot leads to fentanyl and charges for Caddo County couple

ANADARKO — A busted brake light and scent of burned marijuana led to the arrest of a Caddo County couple for fentanyl trafficking.

Anadarko Police Officer Eddie Ramsey stated he was on patrol shortly before 2 a.m. March 18 when he saw a maroon truck driving with inactive brake and tag lights and made a traffic stop in the 700 block of North 1st Street.

When he made contact, Ramsey stated, the smell of burned marijuana was strong and he used that as probable cause for a search of the truck, the probable cause affidavit states. The driver, Hector Marcial Hernandez, and passenger, Veritee Camargo, each said they didn’t have medical marijuana cards.

During a search of the truck, a baggie containing 7 grams of marijuana was found under the passenger seat and a mint container with 52½ fentanyl pills inside were recovered, the affidavit states. When shown what was discovered, Ramsey stated, the couple began arguing before being arrested and taken to the Caddo County jail.

Hernandez, 31, of Anadarko, made his initial appearance Monday in Caddo County District Court where he was charged with a felony count of aggravated fentanyl trafficking as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled dangerous substance and operating a motor vehicle with an improper brake system, records indicate.

Hernandez has prior felony convictions: Caddo County – April 2012, possession of a controlled substance; October 2014, possession of a controlled substance; and June 2019, distribution of controlled dangerous substance/intent to distribute; and McClain County – February 2017, possession of a controlled substance and convicted felon prohibited from carrying firearms, according to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records.

Held on $500,000 bond, Hernandez returns to court at 9 a.m. May 23 for his preliminary hearing conference, records indicate.

Camargo, 25, of Anadarko, also received a felony count of aggravated fentanyl trafficking as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled dangerous substance. Records indicate she hasn’t made her initial court appearance as of Tuesday.

The trafficking charge is punishable by up to life in prison.