Traffic violation leads to drug, weapons charges against Columbia man and woman

LEXINGTON, SC (WOLO) — According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, a Lexington County deputy spotted an expired license plate on a car on Interstate 26 last week before pulling the driver over and setting a significant drug case in motion.

Aaron Daryl Maldonado, 31, is charged with trafficking fentanyl and meth, cocaine possession, marijuana possession, possession of Alprazolam pills, committing a violent crime while on bond for a violent crime and three weapons charges, according to arrest warrants.

Shailie Marie Mercado, 24, is charged with meth possession, according to a warrant. “The deputy pulled Maldonado over near mile marker 105 on I-26 eastbound,” says Lexington County Jay Koon, adding, “He was driving and Mercado was passenger.”

Koon says the deputy noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. “The deputy, shortly after backup arrived at the scene, started a search of the car,” Koon says, adding, “They found numerous drugs throughout the car.”

Deputies say they also found a pistol under the driver’s seat.Maldonado and Mercado were arrested on the side of the interstate and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center.

Maldonado is still being held there. Mercado has been released after meeting the conditions of her bond.