Abandoned vehicle concealed $1 million in cocaine

FROM STAFF REPORTS

May 27, 2008 - 10:27AM

Vehicles abandoned along the road are nothing new, but few drivers ever leave behind a $1 million stash of cocaine in the gas tank.

Local authorities encountered exactly that scenario Monday when an abandoned vehicle was spotted on Highway 95 just north of Gadsden, according to a press statement from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.

"I think there is a real possibility that with that much drugs in the gas tank he probably ran out of gas before he got where he was going," said Capt. Eben Bratcher, YCSO spokesman.

A deputy stopped to check out the vehicle, which was partially in the roadway, creating a traffic hazard. But prior to removing the vehicle a U.S. Customs canine unit checked out the vehicle for contraband. That's when the 22 kilos of cocaine were discovered hidden inside the gas tank, according to the statement.

The vehicle was registered to an owner in Mexico, but Bratcher declined to release the name pending further investigation.