450g of heroin seized in traffic stop

BROCKTON, Mass. (WPRI) -- A large amount of cash and heroin were seized during a routine traffic stop in Brockton.

At about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 25, Trooper Keith Ledlin observed a motor vehicle with a large crack across the windshield.

Ledlin checked the registration and found the car's owner was not licensed in Massachusetts. He then stopped the vehicle and saw the driver place something inside of his jacket.

Julio Monteiro, 26, of Brockton, had a Massachusetts driver's license and registration, but could not identify the owner of the vehicle. A check of Monterio's license status revealed it was suspended.

After several more questions, Monteiro refused to tell the trooper what he placed into his jacket.

Monteiro got out of the vehicle and was patted down. Ledlin found more than $4,500 cash, after which Monteiro gave inconsistent statements about whether the money belonged to him.

A State Police K-9 then identified a hidden compartment containing 450 grams of heroin.

Monteiro was transported to the state police barracks and charged with trafficking in heroin, operating with a suspended license, motor vehicle equipment violation, and failure to signal.