Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — An up-and-coming Mexican opera singer is being charged with drug trafficking after he caught driving a car stuffed with methamphetamine in San Diego County.
The District Attorney’s office says 23-year-old Maximino Melchor Vazquez is charged with transportation and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sale. He’s being held in jail on $1 million bail.
U-T San Diego reports the tenor from Tijuana was driving on Interstate 5 on Sept. 19 when he was pulled over, and 44 pounds of meth was found in a concealed compartment in his car. Federal authorities say that quantity is worth up to $500,000 on the street.
Vazquez faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
His friends tell the newspaper Vazquez was probably tricked or forced to drive the car.