Drugs, counterfeit cash seized

PALESTINE — Two people were arrested late Wednesday night in Palestine after police said a traffic stop led to the discovery of drugs and counterfeit cash. According to the Palestine Police Department and our news partner KETK, an officer conducted a traffic stop around 11:38 p.m. on Wednesday, in the 1100 block of East Palestine Avenue involving a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis. Police identified the driver as Juan Manuel Vega, 42, of Palestine. A records check showed Vega’s driver’s license was suspended and he was taken into custody for driving with an invalid license, officials said.

While conducting a search, officers allegedly found a bag of suspected methamphetamine on Vega. An in-depth search of the vehicle uncovered additional suspected methamphetamine hidden inside a container with a false bottom, along with marijuana, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit U.S. currency and prescription medication, according to police.

As a result of the investigation, Vega was charged with the following:

Driving with an invalid license
Possession of a controlled substance (PG1, 4–200g)
Possession of marijuana (over 4 oz)
Forgery of a financial instrument

A passenger identified as Katherine Kylene McCreight, 41, of Palestine, was also detained during the stop. Officers reported seeing McCreight discard a prescription pill bottle containing suspected alprazolam (Xanax) during the stop. Police said additional suspected methamphetamine and financial cards that belonged to other people were found inside a bag McCreight claimed as her own.

McCreight was arrested and charged with the following:

Possession of a controlled substance (PG1, 4-200g)
Possession of a controlled substance (PG3, less than 28g)
Possession of marijuana (over 4oz)
Forgery of a financial instrument

Search warrant leads to arrest of felon found with drugs, weapons in Palestine

In total, officers recovered more than 29 grams of suspected methamphetamine, over four ounces of suspected marijuana and eight counterfeit $100 bills, police said.

Vega and McCreight have been booked into the Anderson County Jail and are awaiting arraignment.