New York man accused of trafficking meth after Fort Lauderdale traffic stop

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Fort Lauderdale traffic stop led to the arrest of a New York man accused of possessing more than 19 grams of meth, cocaine, cash and a forged Florida driver’s license.

46-year-old Charles Wilson Pastore of Brooklyn was arrested September 3 after a traffic stop near SW 20th Avenue and SW 15th Avenue, according to Fort Lauderdale Police.

A K9 subsequently alerted to the presence of narcotics inside his white Mercedes-Benz. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered a black cylinder in the spare-tire compartment containing 16.82 grams of methamphetamine and 1.72 grams of crack cocaine.

Investigators also searched Pastore and allegedly found another 1.11 grams of methamphetamine, 1.82 grams of crack cocaine and $3,600.75 in cash in his possession.

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Inside a backpack in the back seat, officers found a digital scale with white powder residue and $3,515 in cash, according to the affidavit. The backpack also contained a loaded .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun with an altered or shaved serial number and a round in the chamber.

Police say multiple cellphones, the drugs, cash, firearm and digital scale led investigators to believe Pastore and the driver were working together to traffic and distribute narcotics.

Pastore also allegedly had a Florida driver’s license that investigators determined was not valid.

Pastore faces charges including methamphetamine trafficking, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of a forged driver’s license or identification card and possession of drug paraphernalia.