Florida man accused of trying to hide cocaine in teenager’s pocket during traffic stop

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida man allegedly tried to hide drugs in a teenager’s pocket during a traffic stop on Wednesday.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies pulled over a Honda sedan on U.S. 1 at about 4:30 p.m. for an expired registration. John Thorton Carrero, of Florida City, was identified as the driver.

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Deputies said they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During the investigation, they found about 10.1 grams of cocaine in the teenager’s jeans pocket. Investigators later determined that Carrero had forcefully placed the drugs in the teenager’s pocket while deputies were conducting the traffic stop in an attempt to hide them.

Deputies also found 0.8 grams of marijuana, several pipes and small bags commonly used to package drugs for sale inside the vehicle.

The teenager was not arrested and was released to a family member. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified.