Canine helps police arrest two for drugs

Two Petaluma men were arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop Sunday night.

According to Petaluma police, a Petaluma patrol officer stopped a car for a traffic violation on northbound Highway 101 at the Old Redwood Highway offramp at 10:43 p.m.

Police said the driver, Israel Perez Perez, 25, of Petaluma was found to be driving on a suspended license and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

The patrol officer called for K9 Officer Art Farinha and his canine partner Jimmy to assist in the search of the vehicle. Police said the dog located drug paraphernalia in the car along with approximately seven grams of methamphetamine.

Perez and his passenger, Rafael Ramirez Hernandez, 27, a Petaluma resident, were both arrested. Hernandez was booked and cited from the Petaluma Police Department for possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Perez was booked into Sonoma County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs, driving on a suspended license and on the outstanding warrant.

Source: http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20140303/COMMUNITY/140309900/-1/community?Title=Canine-helps-police-arrest-two-for-drugs