Patrolman Justin Dodd with marijuana seizure. A routine traffic stop on Dec. 21 turned into a major drug case.

Kingsville Police Department Patrolman Justin Dodd of the Kingsville Police Department made a traffic stop for a violation on a beige Nissan Maxima 4-door vehicle traveling north near the area of Highway 77 and Caesar, according to a press release from Chief of Police Rick Torres.

During a search of the Nissan Maxima, Dodd and Criminal Investigator Daniel Gonzalez discovered a floorboard compartment in the vehicle, Torres said.

The search yielded 55 bundles of marijuana in the floorboard compartment.

The driver of the vehicle, Felicia Peralez, 23, was charged with first degree felony delivery of marijuana over 50 pounds, but less than 2,000 pounds, with an approximate street value of $40,000, the police chief said.

Peralez was also charged with possession of a criminal instrument, second degree felony, Chief Torres said.