El Centro Police Department K-9 Officer Max was instrumental in nabbing a man with heroin concealed in his car.

According to ECPD Commander Aaron Reel , at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday , an ECPD officer made a traffic stop on a red Ford Explorer in the area of Imperial Avenue and Scott Street. During the stop ,K-9 Officer Max conducted a " sniff " of the SUV. A subsequent check of the vehicle revealed suspected contraband and the driver , 53-year old Jesus Pantoja of San Diego , was detained. A more in depth search revealed a total of 1.16 pounds of heroin. Pantoja was arrested and booked into Imperial County Jail on charges of Transportation of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale.