For further information please contact: Sergeant Martin K. Elmore
(417) 469-3121, ext. 225
G-03091
March 09, 2009

EMPHASIS: Cocaine Seizure At Troop G Weigh Station


On March 06, 2009, at 9:25 a.m., at the eastbound weigh station on US 60-63 in Howell County, two Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and a Missouri State Highway Patrol commercial vehicle officer stopped a truck tractor car hauler for a routine driver and equipment inspection. The vehicle was a 2007 Volvo tractor pulling a car transport trailer, which was loaded with eight passenger cars.

During the course of the enforcement contact, the officers became suspicious and asked for assistance from the West Plains Police Department who dispatched a K-9 unit to the scene. The canine alerted on two of the passenger cars, a 1995 Toyota minivan and a 1997 Mercedes-Benz coupe. A subsequent search of the Toyota revealed an empty hidden compartment in the cargo area. A search of the Mercedes-Benz resulted in the discovery of a hidden compartment containing 57.2 pounds (26 Kilos) of cocaine.

With the assistance of officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, the South Central Drug Task Force, and the Illinois State Police a controlled delivery was conducted in the Chicago, Illinois area. The investigation in Illinois continues.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the driver of the transport truck, which was owned by a private cartage company, was not involved.

The approximate street value of drugs seized during this incident was $2,400,000.

(###)