FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2001
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety seized more than $215,000 in drugs and currency in three separate stops by the Highway Patrol this week in Dorchester and Greenville counties.

The first stop was on I-85 northbound at the 45 mile marker at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday. Armando Sandoval Corona, 22, Indian Trail, N.C., was travelling in a 1996 Chevrolet from Georgia to North Carolina. Corona was stopped after making an improper lane change. Corona and a passenger from Kannaoolics, N.C., were charged with trafficking marijuana/conspiracy to traffic marijuana after officers found 32 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $128,000 in the vehicle’s trunk.

The second stop was also on I-85 southbound at the 45 mile marker at 9:52 p.m. on Tuesday. Lopez Monteos Coleman, 22, Gaffney, SC, was travelling in a 1998 Chevrolet when he was stopped for an expired tag and weaving in the road. Coleman and passengers Keyakle Enrique Moore, 21, Riverdale, Ga., and Sheldon Tyrone Pate, 24, Gaffney, SC, were charged with three counts of simple possession, one count of unlawful possession of a pistol, and one fugitive charge after officers found 33 grams of marijuana with a street value of $2,640, $4,801 in U.S. currency and .357 Magnum Revolver in the vehicle.

The third stop was on I-95 southbound at the 76 mile marker at 8:50 a.m. on Thursday. Christopher Gaynor, 19, Shaker Heights, Ohio, and a passenger were travelling in a 2001 BMW sport utility vehicle from New York to Florida. Gaynor was stopped for speeding. The Highway Patrol seized $80,000 in U.S. currency.

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