HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – A routine traffic stop for an expired vehicle tag in Hernando County resulted in the arrest of two individuals on drug charges, including a man facing fentanyl trafficking charges.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputies, while patrolling Cortez Boulevard, observed a blue Ford Escape with an expired tag. Deputy Bopp initiated a traffic stop, identifying the driver as Elizabeth Sosa and the passenger as Matthew Houghtaling.
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During the stop, Deputy Wever and her K-9, Chase, conducted a drug sniff of the vehicle’s exterior. K-9 Chase alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics, prompting a thorough search of the vehicle.
The search yielded significant quantities of illegal substances, including 43.4 grams of fentanyl, 1.4 grams of methamphetamine, and 3.3 grams of marijuana, along with various items of drug paraphernalia.
Matthew Houghtaling was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center and held without bond.
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Elizabeth Sosa was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $2,500.
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