Santa Maria police dog helps officers in drug bust

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Santa Maria police say one of their dogs helped led officers to a drug bust.

Officers say they spotted a car driving fast southbound on Blosser Road from Donovan Road around 9:30 Sunday night.

According to police, the driver ran the white BMW later ran a red light at Blosser and Cook Street.

An officer caught up with the suspect and pulled him over near the intersection of South Western Avenue and Knudson.

Police arrested the driver, identified as 38-year-old Gerardo Hernandez Flores of Santa Maria, for driving under the influence of alcohol and an outstanding warrant.

Officers say they found a small amount of methamphetamine and more than $1,000 in cash in the suspect’s possession.

Santa Maria police dog Rowdi was then brought in to search around the vehicle.

Investigators tell us Rowdi alerted officers to an area beneath the dashboard on the driver’s side.

Police searched the area and say they found around 135 baggies of methamphetamine and cocaine, weighing more than 80 grams.

Officers say the seized drugs had a street value of $2,300.

Police booked Flores into Santa Barbara County Jail on several charges, including possession of drugs for sales, driving under the influence, and reckless driving.

His bail was set at $250,000.