FL:Lee deputies teaming up with Texas troopers

LEE COUNTY: Deputies pulled over two Texas men on I-75 and after noticing several indicators of criminal activity, the car was searched and 15 pounds of hidden marijuana was found.

Southwest Florida sits between two major airports known for importing drugs - Miami International Airport and Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas located 25 miles from the Mexican border.

Law enforcement agencies are now watching different pipelines between Harlingen and Miami as criminals get more creative with interstate trafficking.

Lee County deputies have a phrase for it - "bigger roads means bigger loads."

"Criminals are probably most in danger when they're in transit - moving from one place to another," said Sergeant Peter Hedrick of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

On Wednesday around 3:40 p.m. deputies with the Lee County Sheriff's Highway Patrol pulled over a black Pontiac Grand Prix near Colonial Boulevard on I-75.

Deputies say after they noticed those indicators of criminal activity from 24-year-old Carlos Aleman and 21-year-old Rolando Palacios, they asked for help from a narcotics K-9.

The K-9, that is is trained and certified in the detection of drugs, alerted the deputy to the driver's side door of the vehicle.

After a complete search of the car, deputies found that marijuana was hidden in both front doors of the car. Photos from the arrest

Both Aleman and Palacios were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or distribute.

The vehicle was held pending forfeiture.

Hedrick says he's got a dozen Texas troopers on speed dial because the Valley is becoming more of a hotbed for importing drugs from Mexico and the two agencies are working together to curb interstate trafficking.

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