MELBOURNE, Fla. – A routine patrol by Melbourne Police led to a major drug bust Thursday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of Manuel Enrique Lopez Calero, for possession of more than 16 pounds of marijuana and over $12,000 in cash.
According to the arrest report, Field Training Officer Jacob Dial was patrolling near Front Street Park around 2205 Front St. on July 14, 2025, when he observed a grey Ford F-150 fail to stop at a stop sign at Front Street and Melbourne Avenue. The driver, later identified as Lopez Calero, turned into a nearby parking lot where Officer Dial conducted a traffic stop.
While speaking with Lopez Calero, Officer Dial detected a strong odor of marijuana and noticed marijuana shake on the vehicle’s floorboard. When asked if he possessed a medical marijuana card, Lopez Calero said he did not. After backup arrived, Lopez Calero admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle but did not specify its location.
