(PORT CHARLOTTE) A Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputy made a traffic stop on a driver that was not wearing a seatbelt that ultimately resulted in four drug charges. Arrested was Thomas Steve Taylor Jr., 41, 515 Crandall Street, Port Charlotte.
When the deputy approached Taylor at Tamiami Trail and Port Charlotte Boulevard he noticed Taylor, the driver, was shaking and acting very nervous. Taylor was asked if he had any drugs, weapons or contraband; he said no and consented to a search. The deputy observed a plastic baggie in a cup holder by the center console and canister on the floor in the back seat. The canister contained 10 small baggies, Q-Tips, two syringes and a spoon. Two of the plastic baggies found in the 1996 Chevrolet contained Methamphetamine; the syringes and spoon tested positive for Opiates, and a pill was Cyclobenzaprine.
Taylor was arrested and taken to the Charlotte County Jail; he was released on $2,500 bond. Anyone with knowledge of illegal drug activity is asked to please call the CCSO Narcotics Unit at 941-575-2157 or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).