Placerville man allegedly threw 2 pounds of meth out his window as he was pulled over

A Placerville man who allegedly jettisoned methamphetamine before a traffic stop in El Dorado County landed in jail along with a housemate.

A sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a vehicle speeding eastbound on Highway 50 in Cameron Park on Sunday, but the driver quickly changed lanes, moving to the far right side of the highway, and threw a bag out of the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road, according to a Sheriff’s Office Facebook post. The vehicle then exited the freeway and stopped near Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

Deputies and detectives searched the roadside and found two large Ziploc bags containing a total of 2 pounds of methamphetamine, the news release said.

The driver, identified as 25-year-old Anthony Ruiz of Placerville, was found to be on probation for unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the news release. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, transporting a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.

During a subsequent search of Ruiz’s home and associated vehicles, detectives found 4.6 pounds of marijuana, a loaded 9 mm handgun and 1 pound of heroin. As a convicted felon, Ruiz is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition.

A woman who lived at the home, 25-year-old Frances Quigley of Placerville, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance for sale and conspiracy, the news release said.

Both Ruiz and Quigley were booked into El Dorado County jail in Placerville.

This story was originally published April 24, 2018 at 6:58 PM.