ICE Detainer On Westminster Man Arrested With Cocaine, Scales After Search Warrant Executed
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Damian Garcia-Lopez after the Carroll County man known as “Manches” was the subject of a search and seizure warrant where cocaine, scales, packaging and large sums of cash were found at 156 Liberty St. Apt. A in Westminster, per a March 8th press release from the Carroll County Drug and Firearms Trafficking Task Force.
ICE lodges detainers on individuals who have been “arrested on criminal charges and who ICE has probable cause to believe are removable non-citizens,” according to the ICE website.
The detainer asks local law enforcement to coordinate with ICE to ensure the individual at issue is taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security’s subsidiary agency.
The investigation leading to Lopez’s arrest was one of cross-agency collaboration, involving the State’s Attorneys Office, led by Haven Shoemaker, the Sheriff’s Office, under Jim DeWees, the Westminster Police Department, helmed by Thomas Ledwell, along with the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, supported by funding from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.
This arrest marks the second time Lopez has been apprehended in Carroll County for drug related offenses.
In March of 2019, in Westminster, one special detail was patrolling the area of South Ralph St. and E Green St. when a Chrysler 300 was observed making multiple three to five minute stops.
Tracking the vehicle showing behavior associated with drug distribution, officers eventually spotted the driver using their hands to talk on their cell phone, and watched as they got out of their car and left it unattended with the engine still running, both traffic safety violations.
Officers approached the vehicle and identified Lopez, who told law enforcement he was stopping by a friend’s house.
When a K9 canvas of Lopez’s vehicle came back positive, officers performed a search of it, finding an Altoids container with baggies of cocaine in it, and a large amount of cash.
Lopez was charged with possessing a controlled substance in sufficient quantity to distribute. After later entering a guilty plea, he was granted probation before judgment.
This time, in addition to the ICE detainer, Lopez is being held at the Carroll County Detention Center on no-bond status, charged with the possession of controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute.