K-9 Detects 440 Pounds of Cocaine in Los Angeles SUV

2 min read

A traffic stop in the Los Angeles area ended with the seizure of approximately 440 pounds of cocaine from an SUV after a police dog alerted officers to the vehicle. The incident occurred on Valley Boulevard near the 710 Freeway, where Alhambra police pulled over Julio Rangel of Huntington Park.

Unusual Cargo Sparks Suspicion

Officers became suspicious after noticing the SUV was packed with cardboard boxes, joking that Rangel was carrying “more cardboard boxes than Amazon on Prime Day.” Rangel initially told officers the boxes were not his and that he was driving home after visiting his cousin. However, he later changed his story, claiming the boxes contained diesel parts he was delivering to a friend’s shop.

The Alhambra Police Department’s “good boy,” a K-9 named Otis, assisted officers in discovering over 400 pounds of cocaine being illegally transported by a single driver, the department announced Saturday. https://t.co/Cvylo7Ob7D pic.twitter.com/qzkkKiGqLv

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Following the conflicting explanations, officers called in K-9 Otis and his handler. Otis alerted officers to the SUV, and a subsequent search uncovered approximately 200 kilograms, around 440 pounds, of suspected cocaine packed inside.

Drug Discovery and Arrest

“Thanks to Otis’ top-tier nose, he alerted to the vehicle, and officers discovered the SUV was packed with approximately 200 kilos of cocaine,” police said in a statement.

Meet Otis.

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Rangel was arrested and booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail. Police did not immediately disclose additional information about potential charges or the exact street value of the drugs, although estimates would put it at around $8 million. The department instead reserved some of its attention for the four-legged officer responsible for the discovery.

Recognition for K-9 Officer

“A round of a-paws for our good boy, K9 Otis,” police wrote.

Source: The Gateway Pundit

Written by

claire.thomson