West Palm Beach, FL – State officials announced that the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) seized more than $17 million worth of cocaine during a turnpike traffic stop earlier this month. Authorities say the bust is one of the largest narcotics seizures in the state this year, showcasing ongoing efforts to disrupt major drug trafficking operations entering Florida.
The Incident: Drug Trafficking Operation Stopped on Turnpike
According to Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, the incident occurred on October 5 when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in West Palm Beach notified FHP about a semi-truck suspected of transporting narcotics from the Texas-Mexico border into South Florida.
Troopers quickly located the truck and conducted a routine traffic inspection along the Florida Turnpike. During the inspection, officers discovered a hidden trap compartment inside the vehicle. Inside that compartment were multiple duffel bags filled with cocaine, concealed beneath false panels designed to evade detection.
The FHP confirmed that the total weight of the seized drugs amounted to approximately 173 kilograms, or 381 pounds, with an estimated street value of $17.3 million. The operation led to the arrest of multiple suspects, one of whom had previously been deported from the United States…