Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest and Seizure of about $80,000 in Ecstasy Pills
A traffic stop for a stop sign violation leads to the arrest of an 18 year old man in possession of about 8,000 ecstasy pills yesterday. The pills were packaged in 8 separate zip-lock bags, containing approximately 1,000 pills per bag. The total estimated street value of the pills is about $80,000.
Johnny V. Pham, resident of Rosemead, was stopped by an Arcadia Police Officer shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, on Golden West Avenue near Huntington Drive, for failing to stop at a stop sign. Pham was accompanied by a 17 year old male passenger from San Gabriel. During the traffic stop, officers saw what appeared to be a large zip-lock bag containing a large quantity of pills lying on the floorboard of the vehicle Pham was driving. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and found an additional 7 large bags in the trunk, also containing similar pills, all appearing to be ecstasy.
Pham and his juvenile passenger were arrested for felony possession for sales and transportation of controlled substances. Both were booked at the Arcadia City Jail. Pham was later released after having a $100,000 bond posted. The juvenile was released on citation to a parent.