20-year-old faces fentanyl trafficking, firearm charges after traffic stop in Orlando

A 20-year-old man was arrested by police after three firearms, fentanyl, and marijuana were found in his vehicle during a traffic stop at an Orlando intersection.

At around 1 a.m. on February 15, Orlando Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the intersection of W Robinson Street and Westmoreland Drive. They made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as Joel Ayala, and they instructed him to exit the vehicle.

According to OPD, there was probable cause to search the interior of Ayala’s vehicle. During the search, officers found the following firearms: a Ruger-57 handgun, Glock 22 handgun, and Mini Draco pistol.

Joel Ayala gun visible near driver's seat
OPD officers found a gun near the driver’s seat inside Ayala’s vehicle. (Photo: Orlando Police Department)
Joel Ayala officer placing second firearm into bag
An OPD officer placing one of the recovered firearms in a bag. (Photo: Orlando Police Department)

In addition, OPD stated that officers found several drugs in the vehicle, including 6.9 grams of suspected fentanyl, 67 grams of suspected cannabis, 44 sealed THC cartridges, and two cases of five pre-rolled THC blunts.

Joel Ayala a scale and bag containing white substance found in compartment under driver's seat
During a search of Ayala’s vehicle, OPD officers found a small scale and a bag containing suspected fentanyl. (Photo: Orlando Police Department)

Ayala was arrested and transported to Orange County Jail. He is being charged with trafficking in fentanyl (four or more grams), carrying a prohibited weapon – open carry firearm or electric, possession of tetrahydrocannabinols, and possession of cannabis (over 20 grams).

Joel Ayala
Joel Ayala (Orange County Jail booking photo)

In a social media post on Tuesday, March 5, OPD thanked the officers involved in the traffic stop for getting several firearms and drugs off the streets of Orlando.

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