TROOPER PUTS BRAKES ON BIG DRUG SHIPMENT

At 7:41 a.m. Thursday Trooper John Forrest was making his first stop of the
day. Little did he know that he was about to make his second largest drug bust
of the year.

The Texas Department of Public Safety License and Weight trooper uncovered 300
pounds of marijuana and 283 pounds of cocaine on Interstate 20 at mile marker
408.

On March 6, Forrest unveiled 4,757 pounds of marijuana during a random traffic
stop of a semi truck. The following day, another random stop generated 107
pounds of cocaine.

Forrest said he stopped the truck Thursday because he didn't recognize the
trucking company name advertised on the side. When he approached the truck, the
28-year-old El Paso man's behavior raised Forrest's suspicion.

First Forrest said the driver's log book showed he took nearly a month off in
El Paso. He said that is not normal for drivers. Then the driver's
over-friendly behavior caused Forrest to question the situation even more.

"He was trying really hard to sell himself to me," Forrest said. "He told me he
was a good guy and he was my buddy.

"This made the bells go off."

Forrest said he went to his car and called for Weatherford Police Officer Ken
Dabbs and his K-9 sidekick Rikko.

Forrest said as soon as Rikko approached the truck, he alerted that drugs were
on board.

That was all the probable cause Forrest needed to search the vehicle.

When he went in, he noticed the plywood surrounding the inside of the trailer
was old but the plywood near the nose of the truck was new. He then measured
the plywood and found one side measured 50 feet and the other side measured 53
feet.

Forrest said he suspected the inconsistency would lead them to where the drugs
were hidden. He wasn't surprised when they were found there.

The 28-year-old was also hauling processed jalapenos from El Paso to DeKalb,
Ill. The drugs, which were color coded so the driver would know what went to
who, were on their way to Dallas, Chicago and New York.

Forrest attempted to negotiate a controlled delivery, where the driver would go
forth in the delivery while police tagged along. But the driver wouldn't bite,
even for the chance of a reduced sentence if convicted of hauling the drugs.

After investigators cleared the scene, the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force
out of Dallas took possession of the driver, truck and drugs.

It was busts such as this one that earned Forrest recognition by the Texas
Department of Transportation in 2001. TxDOT honored Forrest with the Lifetime
Achievement Award for his drug interdiction efforts.