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Illegal aliens are found with 2 kilos of cocaine
By Preston Sparks | Columbia County Bureau Chief
Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Columbia County deputies arrested two illegal aliens in Martinez and seized two kilos of cocaine, authorities said Wednesday.

Two Mexican men, Pabalo Javier Veleta, 32, and Artura Rodriquez Ochoa, 28, whose local address was given as the Augusta Travel Lodge on Fifth Street, have been charged with trafficking cocaine, said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris.

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Police found Pabalo Javier Veleta in possession of 2400 grams of cocaine Wednesday.
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Capt. Morris said the arrests took place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of South Belair and Old Belair roads after a two-week undercover operation. He said both men were found in possession of about 2,400 grams of cocaine, which he said has a street value of about $400,000.

He said federal authorities had been notified and both men were being held without bond in the Columbia County Detention Center. Police also seized $1,990 and a 1992 Honda Accord.

Reach Preston Sparks at 868-1222, ext. 115, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.

From the Thursday, January 5, 2006 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle