Fayette County's newest K-9 helps seize $3.5 million worth of meth

LA GRANGE, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Fayette County's famous K-9, who helped find millions of dollars’ worth of drugs, has officially retired. 

Lobos hung up his leash in October, but there's already a new name making big busts in the county. 

Monday morning, when Sgt. Randy Thumann stopped a Ford F-350 on I-10 in Flatonia, he put his new K-9's nose to work. 

“He alerted to one of the fire extinguishers,” said Thumann, a K-9 handler with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.  

It's the fourth time 16-month-old Kolt sniffed out drugs since joining the ranks in Fayette County. 

“In the last couple weeks, we've had several large seizures and he's been a part of every single one of them,” Thumann said.  

Luckily, Thumann has plenty of experience finding hidden contraband. To him, seeing four industrial-sized fire extinguishers was already a red flag. 

“I wouldn't say it was normal, but it's something I've seen before several times,” said Thumann.  

Kolt's alert gave Thumann permission to look inside. Where he found more than $3.5 million worth of crystal meth. 
                
“So the total weight was about 34 kilos,” Thumann said.  

Although Kolt is already earning his keep, he has a lot more work to do before he can challenge K-9 Lobos' record. 
                
During his eight years on the job, Lobos helped find tens of millions of dollars’ worth of drugs. 

“He was a tremendous dog, really good at what he did. I could always depend on him. If I couldn't find it, and I knew it was there, I was having a hard time finding it, or if I needed something confirmed, yeah, he was always right on the money every time,” said Thumann.  

Lobos retired from the sheriff's office in October. Since then he's been living it up at home with one of Thumann's relatives. 

“He's still a part of the family,” Thumann said.  

Now, with 16-month-old Kolt, that family is growing. 

“I think his biggest strength would be his eagerness to learn,” said Thumann.  

Kolt will put Thumann's training skills to the test, but he said it's worth the extra effort every time he pulls someone over. 
                
“I have somebody who's willing to put their life on the line just sitting right behind you every day,” Thumann said.