Drugs, Gun Found On SMC Man Pulled Over For Using Cellphone While Driving: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — A traffic stop for a cellphone violation escalated into an arrest for drug sales and illegal gun possession Friday in San Mateo.

At around 9:55 p.m., a San Mateo Police Department officer said they pulled someone over near the intersection of E. 25th Avenue and S. El Camino Real after they saw the driver using a cellphone. Police said they also suspected the driver, identified as 26-year-old San Leandro resident Bao Thai Pham, of driving under the influence after they spoke with him.

While searching Pham, police said they found a large quantity of cash and suspected cocaine. A search of his car uncovered an additional 12 baggies of suspected cocaine, one baggie of suspected ketamine, a loaded semi-automatic pistol and 31 rounds of ammunition located in the trunk, police said.

Pham was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail on multiple felony charges, including transport and sales of controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm, possession of a controlled substance for sale, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm.