ROSE CITY — The largest “pill stop” in a 13 county area recently happened right here in Orange County. About 84 pounds of ecstasy was seized during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 10.
“This is the largest pill stop in all 13 counties of Southeast Texas,” said Officer Tracy Sorge, of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Division. “The street value of the drugs is $4.2 million.”
The second largest “pill stop” was in 2000 by Sgt. Joey Jacobs who netted 57 pounds of drugs.
Sorge and Keith Reneau of the Pinehurst Police Department were working criminal interdiction on the westbound lane of Interstate 10 near milemarker 857 in Rose City when they noticed the suspect’s vehicle.
A 2008 Toyota Scion was seen weaving through traffic along with other traffic violations. They pulled the vehicle over and after talking to the driver, asked for a consent to search the vehicle. However, the 37-year-old Houston man denied access to the vehicle.
So, they contacted Deputy Russell Hall to bring his narcotics dog, Shadow, to the scene. A “free air” search was conducted and the dog made a positive alert for the presence of narcotics. As the result, they were able to have probable cause to search the vehicle. Officers located the 84 pounds of drugs in the rear cargo area and $7,000 in cash, according to Sorge.
The man was then transported to the Orange County Jail. However, the case has been adopted by federal officials. If convicted the man faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2613, or dschamber@orangeleader.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Courtesy photo
Discussion
Officers net the largest “pill stop” in OC history
- Local News
-
-
Entertainment for the week of June 19 - June 25, 2013
Enjoy the summer with good friends and good music at any one or more of the area’s music venues.
-
UPDATE: Lake Charles Police searching for missing person
The Lake Charles Police Department is actively searching for a Missing Person, Leroy Stewart Sr, 84 years of age.
-
Meeting cancelled
The City of Orange, City Council, Special Call Meeting on 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, has been CANCELED.
-
Masters of Arts in New Testament
John Davis Jones recently received his Masters of Arts in New Testament from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN.
-
Rollover facing changing tide
The days of dropping a line and hooking a large flounder, pulling it from the teeming waters of Rollover Pass may soon be a thing of the past.
-
LC-M football player nominated for All American
Imagine being nominated for All American.
-
Sears site owned by City of Lake Charles sold
The former Sears Retail Site owned by the City of Lake Charles located in the 600 block of Ryan Street has been sold to FPL, LLC which is managed by Roger Landry.
-
Orange County Sheriff Posse announce scholarship winners
The members of the Orange County Sheriff Posse are proud to announce the presentation of three $500 scholarships.
-
Doubt
My professor Dr. Fred Craddock, was the master at weaving the stories of his life with the gospel of Christ.
-
Friendship, Eagle or Turkey
It has been said that if you have at least one friend in your life time you’re blessed.
- More Local News Headlines
-
