On Saturday February 21, at about 4:00 pm, a deputy with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of exit 215 of northbound IH-35 in Kyle. The deputy’s investigation uncovered indicators of criminal activity and an HCSO dual purpose canine was deployed. Following an alert to the presence of narcotics by the canine, a search of the vehicle was conducted.
The vehicle search resulted in the discovery of 25 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed within the vehicle. The vehicle’s driver, an adult out of Starr County, TX, was arrested and charged with Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 1), a first-degree felony. The seized cocaine has an estimated wholesale value of $325,000. The incident remains under investigation and no additional details can be released at this time.
The arrestee will not be named or further described due to a future review by an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for federal prosecution, according to a spokesperson for the HCSO.
The Criminal Interdiction Unit is a specialized unit within the HCSO that focuses on intercepting criminals in transit, primarily on the major throughfares within Hays County such as IH-35, SH-21, and US-290; the unit is a uniformed initiative that promotes public safety through traffic enforcement, and utilizes these encounters to detect criminal activity.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is committed to reducing the impact of illicit narcotics on our community. Community members are encouraged to report narcotic activity by calling 512-393-7896. Those wishing to remain anonymous can also contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-324-8477 from anywhere in the U.S. or submitting information online via www.P3tips.com.
