U-Haul driver found with over 5 pounds of cocaine during traffic stop: HCSO

The Brief

  • Hillsborough County deputies said they arrested a man after finding 5.5 pounds of cocaine inside a U-Haul.
  • HCSO said a new K-9 unit that started this week alerted to the narcotics.
  • Deputies said the driver, Luis Pedroza, has a prior criminal record including federal weapons charges in Puerto Rico.

PALM RIVER-CLAIR MEL, Fla. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it conducted a traffic stop on Wednesday, where they arrested Luis Pedroza for trafficking cocaine.

5.5 Pounds of Cocaine Found Inside U-Haul

HCSO said on April 1, around 3:00 a.m. deputies pulled over a U-Haul along Causeway Boulevard after the driver allegedly committed multiple traffic violations.

The driver, Luis Pedroza, 34, failed to stop for over a mile and resisted deputies’ commands before being taken into custody.

A K-9 team at the scene was alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the U-Haul. A search of the vehicle revealed around 5.5 pounds of cocaine hidden inside, deputies said.

Pedroza has been charged with the following:

  • Trafficking cocaine (400 grams to 150 kilos)
  • Resisting officer without violence

Deputies said Pedroza has a prior criminal record, including federal weapons charges in Puerto Rico.

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