The Ellis County Press: Cocaine bust leads to 2 arrests; Customs detainer placed on both

Cocaine bust leads to 2 arrests; Customs detainer placed on both
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Megan Gray on 11/26/2010 16:01:00


ELLIS COUNTY - Two illegal immigrants from Mexico were caught smuggling cocaine
last week on Interstate Highway 35 at the 385 mile marker going Northbound.
The Ellis County Sheriff's Office Uniform Narcotics Division conducted a traffic
stop on a Red 2001 Chevrolet pick-up truck on Tuesday, Nov.16 at 5:45 p.m. near
Italy.
According to a news release issued by the ECSO, Deputy Cody Cole observed
inconsistencies with the driver and vehicle and believed the suspect might have
been actively engaged in criminal activity.
Based on his belief, Cole contacted the ECSO Canine Unit and requested a free
air sniff be conducted around the vehicle.
During the search, Deputy Glen Garrison and his canine partner, a Gerrman
Shepard , indicted a positive alert on the grille of the truck.
Deputy Cole conducted a subsequent search of the area indicated by the canine
unit and discovered five kilograms (approximately 12.8 pounds) of cocaine hidden
behind the grille.
The driver, Noe Javier Rodriguez-Garcia and his female passenger, identified as
Manuela Garcia De Rodriguez, both from Monterrey, Mexico, were arrested for
manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, a first degree felony.
According to the ECSO, when cocaine is bought in quantities such as kilograms,
the going rate is approximately $24,000.00 per kilo.
Once the kilo's are distributed and sold in smaller quantities the street value
increases substantially.
Bond was set at $30,000 on each suspect.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on both
Garcia,49, and Rodriguez,73, setting deportation status in motion.