Kolt Finds Half Million in Cocaine

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on Saturday March 4, the Fayette County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Canine Unit, Sgt. Randy Thumann and K9 partner “Kolt”, stopped a silver colored Nissan Altima on Interstate 10 at approximately 11:55 a.m. for a traffic violation. After speaking to the driver and passenger, many criminal indicators were observed and consent to search the vehicle was granted. Canine “Kolt” was deployed to conduct a free air sweep of the vehicle. Sgt. Thumann observed Kolt alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics coming from underneath the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $480,000 concealed in an after-market compartment built into the exhaust tunnel. The driver, identified as 36-yearold Johanna Lizbeth Mendoza-Cuellar of Eagle Pass, was arrested for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance and transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.