Traffic Stop on U.S. 36 Results in Drug Arrest

On December 26, 2013, at approximately 8:05 p.m., a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a 2007 Nissan Altima on U.S. Highway 36, just west of Missouri Route Z near Monroe City, Missouri. The driver was identified as Efren Trejo-Obeso, 28, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the course of the traffic stop, several indicators of criminal activity were observed causing the trooper to become suspicious. Consent to search the vehicle was requested and denied; therefore, a canine unit from the Monroe City Police Department was called to perform an exterior sniff of the vehicle. The canine alerted on the vehicle. A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle revealed six packages believed to contain methamphetamine. The combined weight of the packages is approximately six pounds.

Trejo-Obeso was arrested for felony trafficking of a controlled substance—methamphetamine and speed. He was transported to the Marion County Jail where he is being held pending formal charges.

The charges for which Trejo-Obeso was arrested are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

*Press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol