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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