Plymouth man facing several drug charges, held on bail, after police say he was significantly speeding in unregistered, uninsured vehicle

A Massachusetts man is facing several charges after an incident late last week.

According to police, on Friday, a Plymouth Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on Cherry Street for a vehicle observed traveling significantly over the speed limit.

During the stop, the operator was identified as 32-year-old Michael Botelho. An RMV check revealed that the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured, prompting the officer to call for a tow and conduct an inventory of the vehicle’s contents.

During the vehicle inventory, the officer discovered a black digital scale with white residue, plastic sandwich bags, and a backpack containing multiple individually packaged corner-cut baggies of white powder, later field-tested and confirmed to be cocaine. Additional evidence, including a large amount of cash, was located on Botelho and inside the vehicle. The total weight of the seized cocaine was approximately 55.3 grams.

Botelho was taken into custody without incident and transported to Plymouth Police Headquarters, where the evidence was processed.

Botelho was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine (2nd Tier), 36 grams or more, less than 100 grams, Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B (Cocaine), Possession of Class B (Cocaine), Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Unregistered Motor Vehicle.

At Monday’s arraignment, Botelho pled not guilty and was held on $1,000 cash bail.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for February 10th.