For further information please contact: Sgt. Kent Casey
417-359-1500 ext. 2229
070607-1
July 07, 2007

EMPHASIS: Cocaine Seizure At Newton County Weigh Station



On July 5, 2007, a Missouri State Highway Patrol commercial vehicle officer stopped an eastbound tractor-trailer unit for a fuel tax violation at the weigh station on Interstate 44 in Newton County. During conversations with the driver the commercial vehicle officer became suspicious of criminal activities and requested a trooper respond to the weigh station. The trooper received consent from the driver to search the tractor-trailer unit for drugs and weapons. Located under the bottom bunk in the sleeper compartment of the truck tractor was a large duffle bag containing approximately 24 kilo-sized bundles of cocaine covered in axle grease and wrapped tightly with cellophane.
The driver, Barrios Benjamin Perez, 46, of San Diego, CA, was arrested for first-degree drug trafficking and transported to the Greene County Jail in Springfield, MO, where he was released to Federal Drug Enforcement Administration officers, who will pursue the filing of federal charges.
The charge for which Barrios Benjamin Perez was arrested is mere accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.


(###)