Over $5.5 Million Worth of Cocaine Seized by Louisiana State Police in Traffic Stop

Louisiana – Louisiana State Police reported on May 3, 2022, that on May 2, 2022, shortly after 6:20 a.m., Troopers made a traffic stop on a 2005 Peterbilt 387 eastbound on Interstate-12 in St. Tammany Parish. Troopers became suspicious of criminal activity during the traffic stop and requested permission to search the vehicle. Troopers were able to locate and seize 55 kilograms of suspected cocaine after obtaining consent to search.

This amount of cocaine is estimated to be worth $5.5 million on the street. Troopers arrested Melvin Contreras, 32, of Mount Vernon, New York, and Pedro Sarante, 40, of New York, New York, for drug-related charges after discovering the illegal narcotics. Troopers contacted federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security, and the case was referred to federal authorities. Contreras and Sarante were both arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

Louisiana State Troopers said that they will continue to make Louisiana a safer place for its citizens through proactive drug-related enforcement and collaboration with local and federal law enforcement agencies. Troopers will target local and multi-state drug trafficking organizations by enforcing all state and federal laws governing drug manufacturing, distribution, sale, and use.

Featured image source: Louisiana State Police