HOUSTON (CW39) – A traffic stop along Interstate 10 in Chambers County led to the discovery of roughly 22 pounds of cocaine hidden inside an 18-wheeler, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office. The seizure highlights the continued use of major Texas highways as drug trafficking corridors connecting Houston and the Gulf Coast region.
What to know
- The traffic stop happened May 12 along eastbound I-10 near mile marker 800
- Detectives searched an 18-wheeler after a K-9 alert
- Investigators say nearly 9 kilos of cocaine (22 pounds) were found hidden inside the cab walls
- Two Florida men were arrested
- The suspects face possession charges in Chambers County
How was the cocaine discovered?
According to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, detectives stopped the 18-wheeler May, 12, 2026, during the early morning hours on Interstate 10. While speaking with the driver, investigators said they observed signs of possible criminal activity and deployed a K-9 unit to conduct a free-air sniff around the vehicle.
After the dog alerted to the truck, detectives searched the cab and found approximately nine kilos of cocaine concealed within the walls of the vehicle. That equals roughly 22 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the truck.
Who was arrested?
The two men are from Florida and were booked into the Chambers County Jail on possession charges. The sheriff’s office has not released additional details about where the drugs were allegedly headed.
Why does this matter in the Houston area?
Interstate 10 remains one of the busiest transportation routes in Texas and is frequently used for commercial trucking traffic moving through the Houston region. Large narcotics seizures along the corridor can impact drug distribution pipelines stretching across Southeast Texas and beyond.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and detectives continue working to intercept illegal narcotics moving through local communities. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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