Drug Bust Seizes 253 Lbs. of Marijuana

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on Monday, Oct. 5, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Interdiction Canine Unit, Sgt. Randy Thumann and K-9 partner Kolt, stopped a Dodge pickup on I-10 at the 658 mile-marker at approximately 10:29 a.m. for a traffic violation.

After speaking to the driver who was extremely nervous, Thumann became suspicious he was transporting illegal narcotics. Sgt. Thumann was given consent to search the vehicle he deployed his canine Kolt to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. Kolt alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics. Sgt. Thumann searched the vehicle and located approximately 253 pounds of marijuana under a load of lumber and PVC pipes. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $126,500.

Salvador Sanchez, 49 of Laredo, was arrested and transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center and charged with felony possession of marijuana.