Texas Traffic Stop Leads To $4.8M In Drugs Inside Tires
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Police say a traffic stop in Central Texas has led to $4.8 million in drugs found smuggled inside the tires of a pickup.
Austin police on Monday announced the arrest of the driver during a July 10 stop for allegedly speeding on southbound Interstate 35. The vehicle also lacked a front license plate.
Police say 43-year-old Armando Martinez of Weslaco gave officers permission to search the vehicle and narcotics K-9 "alerted" that there were drugs in/on the truck. Investigators report finding 82 pounds of cocaine, 50 pounds of methamphetamine and 6 pounds of heroin hidden in metal casings inside each tire.
Travis County jail records show Martinez was being held on three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Online records didn't list an attorney for Martinez, whose bond was set at $300,000.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)