TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Yesterday, officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) seized over 29 pounds of cocaine after stopping a white cargo van that bypassed an agricultural interdiction station in Escambia County. The street value of the seizure is $24,000 per bundle, with a total street value of $264,000.
“Florida’s Agricultural Law Enforcement officers serve as a first line of defense against criminal activity and threats to our state,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “This significant drug seizure is a testament to the critical role our Agricultural Law Enforcement officers play in keeping Florida safe. I’m proud of the work our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement – and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day — to intercept criminals and illicit contraband that endanger our communities.”
On February 12, a large cargo van was observed bypassing an FDACS agricultural interdiction station, prompting officers to initiate a traffic stop. Upon inspection, officers discovered a crate holding a large plastic box filled with spray foam that had not yet solidified. Upon further investigation, officers found 11 bricks of cocaine — with a total weight of 29.2 pounds – concealed beneath the foam. The crate had been picked up from a storage unit in El Paso, Texas, and was destined for a location in South Florida.
OALE investigators are working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on this ongoing investigation.
FDACS’ agricultural interdiction stations serve to protect Florida agriculture and enforce state and federal laws. The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement conducts criminal investigations relating to any matter over which the department has jurisdiction, protects consumers from unfair and deceptive trade practices, protects Florida’s agriculture industry from theft and other crimes, and safeguards the integrity of Florida’s food and other consumer products. In support of its mission, the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement operates more than 20 agricultural interdiction stations around the state. Officers conduct vehicle inspections 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to protect Florida’s food supply and prevent the introduction and spread of agricultural pests and diseases.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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