Texas Department of Public Safety troopers seized more than $300,000 over the weekend from drug busts.
According to Troopers, the first seizure was on Friday evening. A 2004 Chevrolet Blazer was stopped three miles east of Conway on Interstate 40. Consent to search the vehicle was not granted and a K-9 was brought in and conducted a free-air sniff.
After a positive alert on the vehicle, it was searched and 6.8 pounds of marijuana was found, totaling an estimated value of $36,754. Additionally, 2.4 ounces of hashdish was found, valued at $3,604.
The illegal drugs were found inside luggage. They were being transported from Denver to Atlanta. The driver of the SUV, 32-year-old Bradford J. Hill of Marietta, GA was taken to the Carson County Jail for possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.
The second seizure happened just before 6:30 Saturday evening also on I-40, this time one mile east of Conway. Consent to search the vehicle, a 1996 Toyota Camry, was granted and a search yielded 2.0 kilograms of cocaine. It was valued at $129,835. It was found concealed inside the rear axle of the vehicle.
According to DPS, it was being transported from Phoenix to Oklahoma City.
The driver, Jose L. Almada, 43 of Beaumont, Calif. and passenger Manuel O. Rendon, 31, of Phoenix were both arrested for possesion of a controlled substance.
The final incident Saturday morning just before 9:00 in Oldham County. A Trooper stopped a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 12 miles west of Vega on I-40.
Consent to search the pickup was denied and a K-9 was brought in to conduct a free air sniff. A positive alert allowed for a search to happen. 296 pounds of marijuana was found inside toolboxes in the towed trailer. The marijuana was valued at $163,137, DPS said.
The driver, Kenneth A. Smyers, 38, of Tucson, Ariz., was arrested for possession of marijuana.
