DPS troopers seize large dope stash near Jourdanton

By Guillermo Contreras
gcontreras@express-news.net
Published 04:48 p.m., Monday, July 11, 2011

Texas state troopers this weekend seized 17 pounds of heroin and 33 pounds of methamphetamine over the weekend from a pickup pulled over in Atascosa County on suspicion of tailgating and having window tint darker than allowed by law.

The bust on Saturday on Interstate 37 near Jourdanton also netted the arrest of the Ford F-150's driver, Oziel Peña III, 40, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The agency estimated the total street value of the drugs at about $2.2 million.

Peña appeared nervous and consented to the search, and the drugs were found hidden in the front seats, in the dashboard and between the truck body and rear seats, according to court records.

The records said Peña told troopers he was to “be very well taken care ofâ€