K9 Deputy Stella Makes Drug Bust in South Texas

On Monday, February 19, 2024, a routine traffic stop led to a significant drug seizure by the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. A K-9 Deputy pulled over a gray Ford Focus within the vicinity of Brownsville.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the Sheriff’s Deputy observed behavior from the driver that raised suspicions. Following a roadside interview, inconsistencies in the accounts provided by both the driver and the passenger prompted further investigation. Additional assistance was requested, leading to the deployment of K9 Deputy Stella for an open-air sniff of the vehicle.

Stella, the trained K9 officer, detected the scent of narcotics emanating from the Ford Focus. Subsequent to the alert, a probable cause search was conducted. This search revealed a cloth bag containing four bundles wrapped in black tape concealed on the rear floorboard of the vehicle.

Due to their training and experience, Sheriff Deputies suspected the bundles contained illicit substances. Consequently, both the driver and passenger were detained. Field tests later confirmed the suspicion, identifying the bundles as containing cocaine, with a total weight of 4.5 kilograms.

The driver was arrested on charges of Manufacture/Delivery of Substances in Penalty Group 1. Authorities transported the individual to Carrizales Rucker Detention Center pending arraignment. Meanwhile, the seized cocaine was booked into evidence as the investigation into the case continues.