Routine Check of License Plate Leads to Arrest for Trafficking in Cocaine  

Hingham, MA – A routine computer check of a license plate led to the driver being arrested for trafficking in cocaine after he was found with 56 bags of cocaine.  

On Monday, June 26, 2017 at 2:11pm, Traffic Officer Scott Tracey was traveling east on Lincoln Street (Route 3A) when he conducted a check of the license plate of a 2013 Nissan Altima that was in front of his cruiser. The check showed the Nissan’s owner had two outstanding arrest warrants for motor vehicle offenses. He pulled the Nissan over, verified the driver was owner, and placed him under arrest.

Once under arrest, the Officer removed a large bag from the driver’s pants pocket that contained 56 smaller bags that were each filled with a white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine.

Hingham Police K9 Pablo arrived and searched the Nissan and no additional drugs were found. The contents of the 56 bags, weighing more than 38 grams, tested positive for cocaine.

Arrested was Jose M. Nunez, age 27, of 20 American Legion Highway, Dorchester, MA. He was charged with Trafficking Cocaine (more than 36 grams). The charge, if convicted, requires a mandatory state prison sentence of not less than 3 ½ years. The two warrants, one from East Boston District Court and one from Dorchester District Court, were for a suspended registration, uninsured vehicle and unlicensed operation.

He was booked at the Hingham Police station and held overnight without bail. He was arraigned June 27 at Hingham District Court and ordered held on $10,000 cash bail. He will return to court on July 13, 2017. P.I.O. Sgt. Steven Dearth ###