Drugs, Money, Gun Turn Up In El Camino Real Traffic Stop: Cops

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Peninsula police recovered nearly $10,000 in ecstasy tablets, a handgun and approximately $1,100 in cash after pulling a man over in a "routine stop for a traffic violation" recently in Belmont, officials said.

It happened Thursday night along El Camino Real, near Brittan Avenue, according to Belmont Police Capt. Patrick Halleran.

Halleran said police pulled a 24-year-old Hayward man, identified as Victor Pabalate, over around 11:50 p.m. after he committed some sort of traffic violation, which was not specifically disclosed. Officers soon discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for a traffic-related offense and arrested him.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found the ecstasy, which has a street value of about $9,800, Halleran said. They also found the cash and gun, which was not loaded. Photos of the seizure are attached above.

Pabalate was booked into San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance for sale and the outstanding warrant.

Additional charges are pending related to the firearm, according to police.

— Images via Belmont Police Department / Bay City News Service contributed to this report