| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1856 | 2009-07-24 | Troop B | Traffic Stop Leads To Haz-Mat Incident and Cocaine Seizure |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent For Immediate Release July 24, 2009 Traffic Stop Leads To Haz-Mat Incident and Cocaine Seizure Today, at 4:45 AM, a Louisiana State Police Troop B trooper conducted a motor carrier inspection on an eighteen-wheeler headed eastbound on Interstate 10 in St. John Parish. A 2005 Volvo tractor-trailer, driven by David Aparicio (W/M/age 47) of Sinton, TX, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 in St. John Parish. During the inspection, the trooper observed several indicators that raised his suspicion, which warranted further investigation. The trooper was given written consent to search the eighteen-wheeler and during the search, a block of an unknown white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine was located in a box of limes. Once the substance was located, the eighteen-wheeler, driver and the passenger, Francisco Aparicio (W/M/age 45) of Taft, TX, were relocated to Troop B. While in route to Troop B, investigators form the Gulf Coast HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) were notified of the investigation. The Gulf Coast HIDTA is a narcotic task force made up of investigators from federal, state and local agencies. Several agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office entered into the trailer and began to search the boxes of limes located in the trailer. During the search, several officers began to feel sick and displayed symptoms of nausea. They were immediately taken to East Jefferson Hospital to be examined and receive medical treatment. LSP Haz-Mat and Kenner Fire Department were notified and Troop B was closed down to civilian traffic. All officers have been cleared and released from the hospital. At last count 23 kilo’s (50.6 pounds) of cocaine were located within the trailer. For safety, reasons the cargo was stored back into the trailer and will be taken to an undisclosed facility for further evaluation. Both occupant’s were arrested, booked into St. John Parish Jail and charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Contact Information: Senior Trooper Louis Calato Troop L Public Affairs (985) 893-6250 Louis.Calato@dps.la.gov | |||
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