Calhoun Deputies Find 700 Pounds of Marijuana in Vehicle

Local

Written by Stephanie Kusy

The Calhoun County Sheriff's office is searching for four men who had more than 700 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle.

Sgt. Robert Harvey pulled a pickup truck over last night around 9:45 for speeding on 35 South in Port Lavaca. When the vehicle finally stopped on 185 heading toward Seadrift, four men jumped out and ran.

"We thought we had a bailout of illegals," said Sheriff B.B Browning. "As he ran by the pickup, he shined a light on several duffel bags laying there in the back."

In total police confiscated 12 duffle bags worth an estimated $325,000.

Browning said many drug smugglers have adopted a common diversion tactic by running a caravan of vehicles to distract officers.

"They'll have a car in the front and a pickup in the middle and a car in the back," he said. "They run like these did last night, and they separated. We happened to get the right vehicle."

The registered vehicle is from Houston. The owner bought it in November.

"Apparently they bought it to make these runs," Browning said. "They put a cover adapter over the back, but for some reason they didn't even have the cover on the bed of the pickup."

Police are searching for the man who owns the truck. If caught, the men will be charged with possession of marijuana and intent to distribute.

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