(Credit: Austin Police Department)
On Tuesday, July 10, 2018, officers from the APD Organized Crime Division’s Criminal Interdiction Unit stopped a 2004 Ford F-150 in the 12600 block of South IH-35 for speeding and for failure to display a front license plate. While speaking with the driver, Armando Martinez, officers cued in on several clues that led them to believe the driver may be smuggling illegal narcotics.
Mr. Martinez granted officers consent to search his vehicle during which time officers noted several anomalies around each of the truck’s tires. Upon further investigation, Narcotics K9 “Raggio” positively alerted on the vehicle, leading officers to discover approximately 138 lbs. of narcotics hidden in metal casings inside each tire:
- Cocaine – 82 lbs. (37 kg)
- Methamphetamines – 50 lbs. (22.5 kg)
- Heroin – 6 lbs. (2.8 kg)
Mr. Martinez, a resident of Weslaco, Texas, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He is currently in the Travis County Jail awaiting transfer to federal custody. This case has been referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further review.
