Fayette County Narcotics K-9 Unit seizes 12 kilos of cocaine on traffic stop

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reported that on March 4, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Canine Unit, Sgt. Randy Thumann and K9 partner Kolt, stopped a silver Nissan Altima on IH-10 at approximately 11:55 a.m., for a traffic violation. After speaking to the driver and passenger, 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 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $480,000, concealed in an after-market compartment built into the exhaust tunnel. The driver, Johanna Lizbeth Mendoza-Cuellar, 36, of Eagle Pass was arrested for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance and taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.