Palestine Man Arrested on Drug, Weapon Charges

PALESTINE — A Palestine resident faces drug and weapon charges after an Independence Day traffic stop. At approximately 11:53 p.m. that day, Palestine Police Officer Ricki Baker conducted the stop on a car in the 1100 block of E. Palestine Avenue for allegedly failing to display a license plate on the vehicle. Upon contacting the men who were in the car, the officer observed a firearm in the vehicle and was granted consent to search, according to officials. KETK reports that a search was then conducted of the vehicle with the assistance of Officer Brandon Nicholson. Police say during the search, marijuana and suspected methamphetamine were found in a compartment, as well as additional items of drug paraphernalia.

The passenger is identified as Christopher Olivarez, 22. He was arrested and charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance in a drug free zone, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of marijuana in a drug free zone. Olivarez was booked into the Anderson County Jail on bonds totaling $370,000.