Texas troopers seized nearly four-and-a-half tons of marijuana last week after stopping a tanker truck in Jim Hogg County for a traffic violation. Packed in 864 bundles, the 8,932 pounds of marijuana is valued at $4.5 million, authorities reported.
A large tanker truck with fictitious markings was stopped last Monday afternoon for a traffic violation as the driver was eastbound on Highway 285, about three miles east of Hebbronville, troopers said.
Texas troopers seized over $4.5 million worth of marijuana from inside a tanker truck - TX DPS photo
According to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) news release, investigators believe the vehicle was traveling from Starr County, with Houston as a possible destination.
The truck, bearing fictitious markings, was stopped heading eastbound at 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon on Highway 285, about three miles east of Hebbronville.
Investigators believe the vehicle was traveling from Starr County and was possibly destined for Houston.
Troopers took a La Joya man into custody, and he now faces federal drug charges. The investigation is ongoing, the DPS public information office reported.
This is only the second largest marijuana seizure by DPS during a routine traffic stop since 1997.