Bicycle stop leads to drug arrest in Tumon

A routine traffic violation check turned into a drug possession arrest on Monday morning when an officer with the Guam Police Department stopped a bicyclist riding without a helmet in the Tumon area. According to a magistrate’s complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, the officer initially pulled over the rider of the bicycle, 39-year-old Fernando Quitugua Babauta, around 7:22 a.m.

Monday on suspicion of operating a bicycle without protective headwear. The bicyclist identified himself by another name, but was later correctly identified by another officer who recognized him. "Babauta appeared nervous, he had sweat dripping down his face, and he continually fidgeted throughout the encounter,” the complaint stated.



After obtaining consent to search a bag that Babauta carried on the handle of the bicycle, officers discovered a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue. A field test confirmed the presence of the controlled substance, according to the complaint. The suspect was subsequently taken to the police precinct and arrested around 8 a.

m. Monday. Babauta was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance as a third-degree felony.

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