$10 million worth of cocaine seized in Fayette County during traffic stops

Fayette County Interdiction Team makes back to back cocaine seizures with a combined street value of more than 10-million dollars. 

Sheriff Keith Korenek reported Monday September 18th at 8:20 a.m. Investigator David Smith stopped a Chevy truck for a traffic violation on IH-10. After talking with the driver and passenger, several criminal indicators and conflicting stories led Smith to believe the vehicle was transporting illegal narcotics. The driver consented to allow a search. After searching the vehicle about 67 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $6.7 million, was found under and behind the rear seat of the vehicle.

The driver 66-year-old Mauro Bustamante was arrested for felony drug possession.

Just one day later on September 19th at 2:00 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff's Office said its Narcotics Canine Unit, Sgt. Randy Thumann and K9 partner Lobos, stopped a Jeep Liberty on Interstate 10 for a traffic violation. After talking to the driver about his travel plans Sgt. Thumann became suspicious the vehicle was involved in narcotics trafficking. The driver consented for Sgt. Thumann to search the vehicle. Sgt. Thumann deployed his canine "Lobos" to sweep the vehicle for illegal narcotics. Lobos helped Thumann to find of 41 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 4.1 million dollars, hidden in aftermarket compartments throughout the vehicle.

The driver 44-year-old Sergio Gonzalez of Mexico was arrested for felony drug possession.