Coral Springs Police arrest woman with 13 suspended licenses after traffic stop leads to drug-related charges
Coral Springs, Florida – A routine traffic stop in Coral Springs led to the arrest of a woman with an extensive history of driving violations, uncovering drugs and drug paraphernalia in the process.
Maria Elena Pineda, 34, of Pembroke Pines, was taken into custody on Feb. 25 after police discovered she was operating a vehicle with a revoked license and an improperly registered license plate. Officers also found marijuana and a crack pipe inside her car.
The incident unfolded at 6200 Sample Road when a Coral Springs police officer noticed that the license plate on Pineda’s black Toyota Avalon was registered to a completely different vehicle. This discrepancy prompted law enforcement to conduct a traffic stop, during which Pineda informed officers that she was already out on bond for a prior charge of driving with a revoked license.
Upon further investigation, a records check revealed a long history of traffic violations. Pineda’s license had been revoked since 2018 due to multiple infractions, including failing to pay fines and failing to appear in court. In total, she had accumulated 13 suspensions, making her a habitual offender.
As officers approached the vehicle, they immediately detected the strong scent of cannabis. In plain sight near the gear shifter, they observed a partially burned cannabis cigarette. When questioned, Pineda admitted that she had marijuana in her purse, leading officers to search the vehicle. Their search yielded two small bags of suspected cannabis, confirming her possession of the substance.
Further inspection of the car revealed an additional discovery—a glass pipe found on the driver’s seat, which later tested positive for cocaine residue.
Following these findings, Pineda was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle with an unassigned tag, and failure to register the vehicle. Additionally, she was cited for failing to provide proof of insurance.
After her arrest, Pineda was booked into the Broward County Jail. Court records indicate that she was later released on bond.
The case highlights the dangers of repeat traffic offenders and the importance of law enforcement vigilance in ensuring road safety. Coral Springs police continue to urge drivers to comply with licensing and registration laws to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
