Man Charged After Austin Traffic Stop Turns Up Gun, Suspected Cocaine

A passenger in a late-night Austin traffic stop was found with a loaded handgun and more than 20 grams of cocaine, prosecutors say.

Angel Abreu Acosta, 39, faces three charges: second-degree drug possession while armed with a firearm, violent felon in possession of a firearm and fifth-degree drug possession.

According to the complaint, Austin police stopped a gold Buick Century in the 700/800 block of 2nd Avenue NE just before midnight on Sept. 30. Officers arrested the driver for driving under the influence of a controlled substance and identified Angel Abreu Acosta as the front seat passenger.

READ MORE → Mower County coverage

During the stop, officers noticed Abreu Acosta sweating heavily, speaking rapidly and showing signs of impairment. Police observed a black leather bag strapped across his chest, which Abreu Acosta took off and put in the back seat after an officer asked him to place it on the roof or hood of the car. While assisting at the scene, a trooper saw a jar with labeling consistent with cannabis products inside the open bag and noted that Abreu Acosta continued to sweat and repeat himself, with mumbled speech.

Officers believed Abreu Acosta was under the influence of a controlled substance, but he denied recent drug use and claimed the only drugs present were medical cannabis. After the driver’s arrest, Abreu Acosta retrieved the black bag and put it back on, despite being told to leave it. Officers then asked him to exit the vehicle and place his hands on the roof.

While Abreu Acosta stood outside, a trooper spotted the grip of a handgun in the front right pocket of his sweatpants. Officers recovered a loaded Hi-point Ruger 9mm handgun from his pocket and determined that Abreu Acosta is prohibited from possessing firearms. A search of his clothing turned up two baggies: one containing 22 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine and another with 7 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Abreu Acosta told officers, “s*** ain’t mine.”

Police also searched the black bag and found an open container of marijuana wax. Abreu Acosta was arrested and transported to the Mower County Jail.