A South Florida driver was arrested after he tried to hide cocaine on a teen passenger during a traffic stop, authorities said.
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John Thornton Carrero, 51, of Florida City, was arrested Wednesday on charges including possession of cocaine, intent to distribute cocaine, child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering of evidence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officials said.
Authorities said Carrero was behind the wheel of a Honda sedan when he was stopped for expired registration on U.S. 1 near Mile Marker 103 in the Florida Keys.
There was an odor of marijuana coming from the car and the teen passenger was found with a little over 10 grams of cocaine in his pocket, authorities said.
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An investigation determine Carrero had forcefully put the drugs in the teen’s pocket as they were being pulled over in an attempt to hide them, officials said.
In addition to the cocaine, authorities found .8 grams of marijuana, several pipes and small bags commonly used to sell drugs in the vehicle.
Carrero was booked into jail. The teen wasn’t arrested but was placed in the care of a family member, while the Department of Children and Families was notified.
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