Man arrested at Palestine hotel with drugs, stolen passports

PALESTINE, Texas ( KETK ) – A man was arrested on Wednesday at a Palestine hotel after police reportedly found drugs, stolen passports and birth certificates in his room.

Palestine police were called to Comfort Inn and Suites in reference to “suspicious activity” just after 11 a.m. Staff reported being unable to get a man, identified as 41-year-old Jorge Mendoza from Palestine, to leave his hotel room after checkout.

When they entered his room, police said they saw drugs and paraphernalia “in plain view” and took Mendoza into custody.

Officers reported finding the following items during a search of the room:

• More than five ounces of suspected methamphetamine
• More than 23 grams of suspected fentanyl
• More than 32 grams of suspected cocaine
• More than 24 grams of suspected alprazolam
• More than three grams of suspected heroin
• A small amount of suspected LSD and ecstasy
• “Numerous” prescription pills and patches
• Several stolen/fraudulent identifying documents, including passports and birth certificates

Mendoza was booked into the Anderson County Jail for the following charges:

• Two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance
• Four counts of possession of a controlled substance
• Two counts of possession of a dangerous drug
• One count of possession of drug paraphernalia

Palestine police said more charges are pending.

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