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Meth citations issued
Ceres Cop Car

A 42-year-old Ceres man was cited on Tuesday morning, Dec. 13, after he was stopped and found with methamphetamine.

According to Ceres Police Department spokesman Lt. Chris Perry said the suspect, Joseph Ofisa, lied several times to Officer Justin Canatsy about from where he was coming. Canatsy stopped Ofisa at 11:40 a.m. in his silver Dodge Durango after conducting surveillance on a home at 1716 Darby Lane which is a location known for illegal drug sales, said Lt. Smith. The residence is the home of Tyson Dimter 31, who was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm on July 24. Canatsy made the stop on the pickup for vehicle code violations on Richland Avenue at Evans Road.

When asked if he had drugs in the vehicle, Ofisa denied having any. Based on the circumstances, Canatsy requested a narcotics detection canine. Officer Coey Henson and K9 "Dex" conducted a sniff of the vehicle for illegal contraband. While Ofisa exited the pickup he immediately grabbed toward his right pocket. Fearing that he was retrieving a weapon Officer Canatsy took control of the suspect and conducted a pat search for weapons at which time he located a small amount of suspected methamphetamine in his right pants pocket.

Ofisa initially said he didn't know how the methamphetamine got into his pants but changed his story to admit the methamphetamine belonged to him. The suspect stated he has a drug addiction problem.

Ofisa was cited for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and released. The suspected methamphetamine weighed 0.9grams.