Mexican opera singer charged with drug trafficking

Screencap from U-T San Diego website

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 said 23-year-old Maximino Melchor Vazquez was 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 (https://bit.ly/QLL05e ) reported that 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 said that quantity was worth up to $500,000 on the street.

Vazquez would face up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

His friends told the newspaper that Vazquez was probably tricked or forced to drive the car.