GREELEY | Authorities in Colorado have reported seizing more than half a million dollars worth of methamphetamine during a traffic stop, leading to a much larger drug bust.
Authorities said Colorado State Patrol pulled a driver over on Aug. 30 about 8 miles (12 kilometers) south of Kersey, KKTV-TV reported. The Weld County sheriff’s office was assisting in the traffic stop and had a police dog sniff outside the vehicle.
The dog alerted authorities to the presence of drugs in the vehicle where deputies found 88 pounds (40 kilograms) of meth worth about $528,000 packed in a suitcase and hidden in the truck’s spare tire.
The investigation into the truck led to a larger bust after a drug task force issued five search warrants Sept. 2 in Greeley, Evans and Garden City, authorities said.
Investigators seized about 5,000 fentanyl pills, 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of meth, a pound of cocaine, weapons and about $250,000 in cash in the searches. Deputies discovered another two pounds of meth and an illegal growing operation in Evans, including more than 100 marijuana plants.
The suspects in the vehicle were arrested and face multiple charges including drug distribution. No further information was made available on the larger bust.