Troopers Seize $53 Million in Drugs, Cash in Texas Panhandle During 2015

A new report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reveals that troopers seized over $53 million in drugs and cash during calendar year 2015.

The drugs and cash were seized by DPS troopers during 137 traffic stops and investigations that took place along the Interstate 40 corridor and other highways in the Texas panhandle region last year, according to a statement obtained by Breitbart Texas.

Nearly $2 million in cash was seized which will be used to fund additional law enforcement activities against other drug smugglers. In addition to the cash, the 137 traffic stops yielded 3,265 pounds of marijuana and its derivatives, 264 pounds of methamphetamine, 167 pounds of PCP, 50 pounds of heroin, 21 pounds of hashish, 19 pounds of opium, and 13 pounds of cocaine.

Some of these seizures resulted in follow-up investigations that led to the arrest of seven suspects and additional seizures. Those investigations yielded the seizure of three vehicles, four firearms, 115 grams of heroin, two pounds of marijuana and over $35,000 in cash.

“Our troopers continue to work diligently, interdicting criminals who put our communities at risk”, said DPS Region 5 Commander Gary Albus. “DPS remains vigilant in combatting drug smugglers; and in the Texas panhandle alone, troopers prevented almost two tons of illegal drugs from being sold on the street.”

The Texas panhandle is part of a major east-west drug trafficking route, particularly for the Sinaloa Cartel. Just last month, 12 individuals with connections to the cartel were charged by the Department of Justice for their roles in the alleged distribution of methamphetamine, Breitbart Texas reported.

A report from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that drug trafficking in the Texas panhandle is controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel, Breitbart Texas’ Ildefonso Ortiz reported last September.

Traffic stops by Texas DPS troopers and other law enforcement officers continue to be an effective tool and intercepting these drugs being transported through the cartel’s sophisticated trafficking network.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter@BobPriceBBTX. Originally published on Breitbart Texas.

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