🚨 A missed turn signal led to a felony arrest on U.S. Highway 83 in Starr County.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Adrianna Cruz was on patrol on August 8 when she saw a brown Chevrolet Malibu fail to signal before a turn. She pulled the car over, according to a criminal complaint obtained by El Tejano.
The driver was Raul Pena, 47. Court records say Cruz smelled marijuana as soon as Pena stepped out of the car.
👃 That smell led to a search. Cruz says she found a THC vape pen in Pena's pocket. The brand on the pen was Cali Clear.
Vape pens like this hold liquid or oil made from marijuana. That matters a lot under Texas law. Dried marijuana and THC oil are not treated the same way.
⚖️ Texas puts THC oil in a group called Penalty Group 2. Even a tiny amount, less than one gram, can bring a state jail felony charge. That is a much harsher charge than what most people expect for a vape pen.
Pena was arrested at the scene. He was taken to the Starr County Jail. He was booked on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance under Texas Health and Safety Code 481.116(b).
A state jail felony in Texas can mean six months to two years in state jail. Fines can run as high as 10,000 dollars.
🚗 Pena's car was not towed. The trooper released the vehicle to his niece at the scene.
This case is a warning for drivers across the Rio Grande Valley. THC vape pens are common. Many people do not know Texas treats them far more harshly than a bag of weed or a rolled joint. A pen small enough to fit in a shirt pocket can turn a routine stop into a felony case.
El Tejano obtained the criminal complaint against Pena through a Starr County public information request. Pena's case is pending in Starr County court. The charge against him is an accusation. He has not been convicted of any crime.
📍 Starr County, Texas 🗓️ August 8, 2026
