Christian Carrasquillo, of Hialeah, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking cocaine. After his prison term, he will serve another 10 years of probation.
Carrasquillo, 39, pleaded guilty in Charlotte County, skipping a trial. He received credit for time served on earlier charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.
The arrest happened on March 21, 2023, when a state trooper pulled Carrasquillo over for speeding on Interstate 75 in Charlotte County.
Carrasquillo appeared nervous, and the trooper discovered his license had been suspended for failing to appear in court for traffic violations. There was also a warrant for his arrest in Broward County for violating probation in a drug case.
Backup officers and a K9 unit were called to the scene.
Carrasquillo and his passenger denied having anything illegal and refused a vehicle search; however, the K9 later alerted officers to drugs in the car.
During a search, cocaine was found in the center console, along with a backpack with drug paraphernalia and more cocaine.
Carrasquillo admitted the drugs were his but not the quantity found. He also said he used a press machine to mix cocaine and crack.
Carrasquillo is also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.