(Seguin) — A recent traffic stop on Interstate 10 in Seguin has led to the discovery of more than a half a million dollars worth of cocaine. Seguin Police Department officials say the traffic stop was reported at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. They say Seguin PD’s Narcotics K9 Handler, assigned to its CASE Unit, conducted the traffic stop on a white BMW SUV, which was traveling eastbound on I-10 near the 617-mile marker.
After contacting the driver, the officer deployed his K9 partner, Kyra, for a free-air sniff around the vehicle. The officer says Kyra alerted to the odor of narcotics, leading to a search of the SUV. During their search of the vehicle, officers discovered 16 bundles of cocaine, totaling 17.5 kilograms or 38.65 pounds — with an estimated street value of $560,000. Officials say the narcotics were found in a natural void area in the rear of the vehicle and in a non-factory compartment.
The driver, identified as 38-year-old Erick Roel, of Mission, was arrested on a charge of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine.” The charges have been filed in the Western District of Texas, and the case has been referred to the federal government for prosecution.