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We hear the phrase, 'during a routine traffic stop...', quite often in the news and when you really think about it, traffic stops are anything but routine. Each traffic stop an officer initiates is unique and will offer its own problems and solutions. This past Sunday, police in Marshall, Texas stopped a vehicle for speeding. What was revealed during the stop was anything but a 'routine traffic stop' because if it were routine, officers wouldn't have discovered 43 kilograms of cocaine stashed away in the semi.

Marshall Police initiated the stop around 3:30 p.m. on South East End Blvd. because the driver was speeding. Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth tells KETK,

During that traffic stop, they developed probable cause that there was more going on."

Once they had probable cause to search the truck, police searched the vehicle and found 39 plastic-wrapped bundles of cocaine that have an approximate street value of around $4 million.

39 packages of cocaine which weighed out to approximately 43 kilos, if you multiply that out that’s about 94 pounds of cocaine. - Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth

This traffic stop was anything but a 'routine traffic stop'. Marshall Police arrested 34-year-old Ariel Martinez of Elgin, Illinois, and booked him into the Harrison County Jail and charged him with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1 B measuring greater than or equal to 400 grams (Marshall Messenger). Martinez was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond.

The Marshall Police and Harrison County Sheriff's Office are still investigating this case and feel that it is part of a larger operation. Still, they were able to seize part of that operation from reaching its final destination.

93 Felony Arrests Made Leading Up To Memorial Day In Smith County

Smith County law enforcement booked the following individuals into the Smith County Jail prior to May, 30, 2023. All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a cour of law. Some featured individuals may have been detained on a US Marshal, Federal or immigration detainer or are a wanted fugitive in some capacity. All information was obtained through an open records request and provided by the Smith County Sheriff's Office.

42 People Were Recently Arrested In Gregg County On At Least One Felony Charge

Gregg County law enforcement booked the following individuals into the Gregg County Jail prior to May 25, 2023. All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Others that are featured may have been detained on a US Marshall or immigration detainer. or are a wanted fugitive.

21 Felony Arrests Made In Smith County May 12 - 15, 2023