Sonoma police dog sniffs out pot, cash stash

Dickie the police dog sniffed out 50 pounds of processed marijuana, and $14,000 in cash, in the trunk of a Santa Cruz County man’s rental car on March 13.

Shown: K9 officer Dickie has his own business card. When not on duty, it says, he enjoys playing ball and spending his time with family.

Arrested for possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana was Jeremiah Soria, 40, from Brookdale. He was driving a rented Altimia, with two passengers, when pulled over by a CHP officer near Hwy 12 and Madrone in Glen Ellen.

The CHP officer, suspecting a concealed pot haul, flagged down a Sonoma Police Department officer who was in the area.

The Deputy happened to be accompanied by his canine partner, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix certified in the detection of narcotics. The deputy questioned the occupants of the vehicle about their activities and, after receiving conflicting statements, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum, had Dickie sniff the exterior of the car.

Dickie alerted to the trunk area, Crum said, indicating the presence of odor of narcotics. Upon further inspection the canine handler was able to locate and seize 50 pounds of processed marijuana sealed in vacuum packed plastic bags along with over $14,000 cash.

Soria was arrested. His two passengers, both from New York, who were released from the scene without charges.

Dickie is one of the youngest members of the department’s canine force and has been working for the City of Sonoma Police Department for about eight months.