Notice to Media

Highway Police Officers Confiscate Load of Cocaine

LITTLE ROCK (8-29) – Officers from the Highway Police Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) discovered approximately 455 pounds of cocaine in a semi-trailer being inspected at the Lehi Weigh Station Friday, August 28, 1998.

The truck was headed from Laredo, Texas to Waukegan, Illinois with a load of Mexican beer. At a street value of $100 per gram, the confiscated cocaine is valued at over $20 million.

Highway Police officers were conducting a routine commercial vehicle safety inspection when the drugs were detected. After the driver of the rig consented to a search of the trailer, officers became suspicious of the load. A Highway Police drug dog then detected the possible presence of drugs.

The driver of the rig and a passenger, both San Antonio, Texas residents, were taken into custody at the scene. Names are being withheld at this time pending further investigation. The suspects and the cocaine were turned over to federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents who will continue the investigation.

"Our drug interdiction efforts are proving to be very beneficial," said Dan Flowers, Director of the AHTD. According to Ron Burks, Highway Police Chief, this is the fifth large seizure in recent months by Highway Police officers. In addition to the cocaine confiscated Friday, Highway Police officers have seized over 2,800 pounds of marijuana and $3.1 million in cash in 1998.

Friday’s seizure was the second largest cocaine bust ever by the Highway Police. In 1992, just over 1,100 pounds of cocaine were confiscated from a truck, also at the Lehi Weigh Station.

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