Two East Texans Arrested for Drug Possession

PALESTINE — Two Palestine men are behind bars following their Saturday arrest on drug charges following a traffic stop by police. KETK reports that Officer Katlyn Griffin conducted the traffic stop at approximately 8:20 p.m. on an SUV for defective equipment. The vehicle came to a stop on Brooklyn Street near Conrad Street. Officer Griffin reportedly saw one of the occupants trying to hide something behind him. The suspect was removed from the vehicle and several bags containing methamphetamine were located on the seat, according to police. During the continued search of the vehicle police were reportedly able to recover a set of digital scales, some pills and another small amount of methamphetamine in the back seat area of the vehicle.

Arrested during the incident were Bivian Lara, 27, and Leopoldo Tovar, 25. Both men were transported to the Anderson County Jail for processing. Lara was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance in drug free zone and is being held on $75,000 bond. He has been charged with a felony and faces up to 99 years in prison. Tovar was booked for manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and is held on $10,000 bond. He is being charged with a state jail felony and could face up to two years in prison.