Jemison Police make beer bust

Published 11:51 pm Friday, October 24, 2008

One man was arrested and 31 cases of illegal alcohol were seized during a routine traffic stop last week on County Road 44.

Jemison Police Officer Brandon Wright stopped Francisco Torres, 54, of Jemison for a traffic violation. After making the stop, Wright noticed that the suspect was carrying an excessive amount of alcohol, most of which was imported beer.

“Jemison is dry, and the possession of alcohol is a violation of the prohibition law alone. The suspect was not only in violation of the law [for having the alcohol], but he was also carrying a load that exceeded the quantity permitted to be in a single person’s possession,” Jemison Police Chief Brian Stilwell said.

Torres was carrying 27 cases of an imported Mexican beer and four cases of Budweiser.

Wright arrested the suspect and charged him with possession in excess of quantity permitted and violation of prohibition law. Torres was released from jail a $1,500 bond.

The Jemison Police Department will dispose of the confiscated beer at a later date. By law, police must destroy all alcohol that is confiscated during a criminal investigation.