Border Patrol agents seize more than 180 pounds of cocaine
Border Patrol agents seize more than 180 pounds of cocaine Monday near Sarita
By Steven Alford
Posted August 31, 2011 at 5:12 p.m., updated August 31, 2011 at 5:33 p.m.
SARITA — More than 180 pounds of cocaine was seized Monday by U.S. Border Patrol agents from a tractor trailer at a checkpoint near Sarita.
The northbound truck pulled into the station about 12:30 p.m., said Daniel Milian, Border Patrol spokesman.
Agents checked the driver's immigration status as officers with drug-sniffing dogs circled the truck. One dog detected the presence of contraband and an X-ray camera was used to inspect, officials said. Anomalies in the X-ray led agents to suspect drugs were onboard and a search was conducted, yielding 70 bundles hidden in the roof of the cab, Milian said.
The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $5 million.
The driver, a U.S. citizen, said he didn't know the drugs were in the truck and was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration to face possible charges.
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