News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant D.S. Bracker
(417)895-6767 ext.253
D2009-04
January 14, 2009

EMPHASIS: Drug Seizure, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop D



Today, January 14, 2009, an eastbound 1998 Kenworth tractor-trailer was stopped by commercial motor vehicle officers for a compliance check on Interstate 44, at the 89 mile-marker, in Greene County. Due to suspicious logbook entries, the commercial vehicle officers requested for a trooper to respond to the scene. After the trooper arrived and interviewed the driver, consent to search the tractor-trailer was obtained. The search revealed 24 kilos of cocaine, located in a compartment in the roof of the sleeper berth.
The driver, Luis A. Mendez-Franco, of Paterson, NJ, was arrested for trafficking cocaine, and transported to the Greene County Jail.
The charge for which the above person was arrested is a mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the above charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.