Major Drug Bust Made on Meth Destined For Chireno

On Tuesday, December 23, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a passenger vehicle for a traffic violation on Hwy 103 near Etoile. The car was occupied by Molly Elizabeth Bowling, 53, and Lillyana Marie Pena, 18; both had recently moved to Chireno, Texas.

During the roadside interview, both subjects allegedly displayed nervous behaviors and gave conflicting statements regarding their travels. Deputies requested consent to search the vehicle, but it was denied. A DPS K-9 unit was requested to the scene for assistance. DPS K-9 performed an open-air search of the vehicle, and a positive alert was given for the presence of narcotics. The K-9 alert on the vehicle gave Deputies probable cause to search the vehicle.

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During a search of the vehicle, deputies located approximately 880 grams of methamphetamine (nearly 2 pounds) and approximately 105 grams of unprescribed prescription medication that was destined for Chireno. Both subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail. They each were charged with two counts of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, a 1st-degree and 2nd-degree felony. They were booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

Bonds were set at $100,000 for each charge by the on-call magistrate for both subjects. Both subjects made bond on Thursday, December 25, and were released from jail, pending a court date.

The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office. This investigation is ongoing by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office.