McAllen police arrested a man on Tuesday after officers found more than 200 pounds of cocaine following a traffic stop.
Gabriel Alejandro Aguirre-Garcia, a Mexican national, was charged with possession with the intent to distribute 216 pounds of cocaine, according to a criminal complaint.
Police conducted a traffic stop on Aguirre’s 2010 Ford F-150 pickup for failing to signal a lane change at the 6400 block of N. Ware Road. Aguirre gave police consent to search his vehicle, the complaint said.
“McAllen K-9 unit alerted to the toolbox of the pickup truck for the odor of narcotics,” the complaint said. “The toolbox was searched and found to have a false compartment containing 20 bundles of white powdery substance consistent with the properties of cocaine.”
The document also said that Aguirre gave Homeland Security Investigation Special Agents consent to search his residence located on Fern Avenue in McAllen.
That’s when agents discovered 66 bundles of cocaine concealed inside a false compartment of a dresser drawer.
A total of 86 bundles were found between the truck and Aguirre’s residence.
“Aguirre stated he was paid to transport and conceal the narcotics for an unnamed co-conspirator,” the complaint said.
Aguirre appeared before Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano on Wednesday morning for his initial appearance, court records indicate.
