Traffic Violations Lead To Drug Bust On U.S. 69/75

Posted: April 27, 2007 08:22 PM PDT


The Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted what officials call a substantial drug bust Friday in Bryan County on Highway 69/75. KTEN's Jhen Kordela spoke with state troopers today to determine whether that stretch of road acts as a drug corridor, channeling illegal substances north from Mexico.

When Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers pulled over a vehicle this morning one mile north of Caddo, officers expected to issue a ticket for two average traffic violations. But, driving without a seatbelt and improper lane usage amounted to more trouble than anticipated for the two suspects who were later taken into custody.

After the driver and the passenger gave conflicting stories to O.H.P., officers became suspicious. Officers then brought out a drug dog, which alerted them to two-bundles of crystal methenphetimine hidden in each side of the vehicle's headlights.

According to Oklahoma state troopers, any busy roadway can act as a means to transport drugs.

Steve Nabors, Oklahoma state trooper, says, "It's a major corridor for highway traffic, so all the major corridors -- U.S. 69/75, Interstate 35, Interstate 40 -- they're all going to carry the drugs. And, we have loads that get through that are never detected. Fortunately, in this case this one was."

The driver and passenger were taken into custody. Their names have not been released because this case is pending and is part of an ongoing investigation. Authorities say, though, that the two suspects are not U.S. citizens, and they are reportedly from Mexico.

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=6439808