BUSTED!

The following stories showcase seizures and recognize efforts in the fight against drugs.

Submitted by: Deputy Joseph A. Williams,
White County Sheriff's Department, Sparta, TN

MCTFT training received: Domestic Highway Interdiction and the Drug Trafficker

Types of drugs seized: 1378 grams of pure Psuedoephedrine

Date of seizure: 01/15/2011

Event:
On January 15th 2011, my partner (C. Capps) and I (J. Williams) observed a silver Ford Mustang make a U-turn in the road. Upon seeing our patrol vehicles, the passenger immediately slumped down in his seat and attempted to hide. Officer Capps then observed that the driver was not wearing a seat belt. We stopped the vehicle and recognized the passenger as an occupant in a recent police pursuit. Officer Capps then interviewed the female driver, and gained consent to search the vehicle. Upon searching, I found approximately three pounds of pure Psuedoephedrine that the male passenger had been sitting on top of. Officer Capps also found the components for a "One Pot" methamphetamine lab inside the vehicle. It is estimated that the methamphetamine that would have been produced by this amount of Psuedoephedrine would have a street value of approximately $100,000.

Submitted by: Officer Tobin Volkman,
Fife Police Department, Fife, WA

MCTFT training received: Domestic Drug Interdiction

Types of drugs seized: Cocaine 43 kilos

Date of seizure: 07/08/2010

Event:
We were conducting a pro-active prostitution and drug related enforcement at local truck stop. A male subject was seen parked in a vehicle behind the truck stop. Another male subject appeared from the bushes next to semi trucks carrying a black duffle bag. The male subject went back into the bushes and reappeared with two more large duffle bags. After attempting to contact the subjects, they took off at a high rate of speed. A pursuit ensued and ended down a dead-end street where 16 Police K9's were training. Subjects attempted to flee on foot, but were taken into custody. A Fife Police Narcotics Detection K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained. A search of the vehicle found 43 Kilos of Cocaine located in the the black duffle bags. The semi trucks were not located.

Submitted by: Master Deputy, Christopher Farkes
Johnson County, Kansas Sheriff's Office, Olathe KS

MCTFT training received: Patron Saints of the Drug Underworld, March 2010

Type of drug seized: Kilogram of Cocaine, 20K + in currency

Date of seizure: 3/19/2010

Event:
Vehicle was stopped for legal reasons.  During the stop, religious indicators, among other indicators, were noted.  A canine responded and hit on the vehicle.  A kilogram of cocaine and in excess of 20K USC was recovered. This happened less than 36 hours after the MCTFT class. Although the driver thought he was protected by a Santa Muerta tattoo and a La Nina Blanca necklace, he ended up going to jail.

Submitted by: Charles Kling, Patrolman, Clifton Police Department
Clifton, New Jersey

MCTFT training received: Highway Vehicle Stops and the Drug Trafficker. October 2009

Types of drugs seized: 1 kilo of cocaine, and 15.5 grams of marijuana

Event:
After motor vehicle stop of a 1990 Acura Integra, an odor of raw marijuana was detected. Myself and partner, Officer Harry Brock were able to pinpoint the odor to the rear passenger seat area. I observed the side panel of the vehicle to be very clean, without a "dust seal" and having the edge of the seatbelt tucked into the right upper corner of the panel. After some manipulation, I partially opened the trap and located 1 Kilo of cocaine along with 15.5 grams of marijuana. Kilo of cocaine was wrapped in a neoprene leg wrap. Also seized was $1000 which was payment for the driver's attempted transportation of the Kilo from Paterson, NJ to Newark, NJ. Subsequent search warrant for house revealed an additional $3000 and 9mm bullets (no gun found). Later investigation revealed party paid $2000 to have the trap built into his vehicle which could be opened by depressing defrost, cruise control and driver up/down window button.

Submitted by: Trooper, Christopher Conrad
Florida Highway Patrol St Augustine, FL

MCTFT training received: Highway Vehicle Stops and The Drug Trafficker May 2008

Type of drug seized: 441 Xanax, 41 Oxycodone, 267grams Marijuana

Date of seizure: 3/24/2009

Event:
The vehicle was stopped for unlawful tint (5%), with a passenger side approach. Rolling papers were observed on the passenger seat. Pieces of cannabis were seen on the center console, and there was the odor of burnt marijuana. There was probable cause and search conducted. Inside of the trunk was a laptop bag containing contraband.

MCTFT training received: Highway Vehicle Stops and the Drug Trafficker. October 2007

Types of drugs seized: $259,680 in cash.

Date of seizure: 10/26/2008

Event:
A rental vehicle was stopped for a lawful reason. The driver had driven from Atlanta to Utah in two days. The driver stated he was going to San Francisco for a job interview. The rental was a one way rental and due in San Francisco the following day by 1100 hours. Consent was denied to search and PSD Tank was used to conduct a canine sniff. Tank indicated on the vehicle and $259,680 in cash was located under the liner of a suitcase in the trunk.

Submitted by: Deputy Sheriff, Brandon Roberts
Alachua County Sheriff's Office

MCTFT training received: Secret Compartment Recognition Education (SCORE)

Types of drugs seized: 600 Oxycodone tablets, 1000 Steroid tablets, 100 ml's of injectable steroids, 6 grams of crack

Date of seizure: 08/20/2010

Event:
The vehicle was stopped north bound US 301 for legal reasons. Upon making contact with the male and female occupants, I observed several indicators common to smuggling. After conducting my enforcement action, I requested the driver exit the vehicle so I could show him why I stopped him. Upon exiting I observed plain view, a Rx pill bottle full of crack cocaine. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 600 oxycodone, 1000 steroid tablets, 100 ml's of injectable steroids, human growth hormone, 6 grams of crack cocaine, and user amounts of marijuana. The occupants were traveling from St. Petersburg, FL to Georgia.

MCTFT training received: Highway Vehicle Stops and the Drug Trafficker. Summer 2007

Types of drugs seized: 508 pounds of marijuana.

Date of seizure: 08/04/2008 

Event:
Vehicle stopped for legal reasons. Vehicle was a 2000 GMC pick-up truck. Driver was very nervous and began to sweat. Driver advised that the vehicle was not his and that it belonged to a friend in Minnesota. Driver stated he was driving to Minnesota from Reno and that the friend is paying for his gas.

Driver did not know his friends name or the owners name on registration. Multiple indicators were seen throughout the vehicle to include religious cross on passenger seat, atlas, single key in ignition, water bottles containing urine, empty food wrappers, bible, and empty energy drink containers.

K9 “Castor” was deployed around vehicle. Positive “Alert” and “Indication” by K9. A search of the vehicles cab produced 53 pounds of high grade marijuana. A search of the vehicles bed, under the bed cover produced 455 pounds of high grand marijuana.

DEA took possession of narcotics and suspect for a controlled delivery in Minnesota. Three people were arrested in Minnesota. One person was also arrested in California for a large marijuana grow operation.