Las Vegas, NV – Police in Mesquite uncovered one of the city’s largest drug trafficking cases in recent years, seizing nearly $530,000 worth of crystal meth during a traffic stop on Interstate 15. Authorities said the bust prevented 90 pounds of methamphetamine from hitting Nevada streets and surrounding states.
Routine Stop Turns Into Major Arrest
The incident happened on Monday, when an officer with the Mesquite Police Department stopped a black GMC pickup truck traveling northbound on I-15. According to investigators, the officer noticed several suspicious indicators suggesting possible drug-related activity.
To confirm his suspicions, the officer deployed a K-9 unit. The dog immediately alerted to the scent of narcotics, giving police probable cause to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle.
Hidden Trapdoor Inside Fuel Tank
While searching the truck, officers discovered a hidden compartment built into the fuel tank. Inside this trapdoor, police found 45 separate bags of crystal methamphetamine, neatly packaged for transport.
In total, the drugs weighed approximately 90 pounds, with an estimated street value of $530,000, according to police.
Authorities described the method of concealment as “sophisticated,” saying traffickers often use hidden compartments in vehicles to smuggle drugs across state lines undetected.
Arrest of Suspect
The driver of the truck was identified as Marco Antonio Diaz, a resident of Colorado. As per Fox5Vegas, he was immediately taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Clark County Detention Center.
Diaz has been charged with one felony count of trafficking a controlled substance, a charge that carries significant prison time if convicted. Police have not yet said whether they believe he was working alone or connected to a larger trafficking network.
Police Response
Mesquite Interim Police Chief Tracy Fails praised officers for their vigilance and emphasized the broader impact of the bust:
“90 pounds of methamphetamine represents countless lives that this poison could have harmed,” Fails said. “Our department remains committed to safeguarding the citizens of Mesquite and the surrounding areas from the dangers of drug trafficking.”
Fails also added that large-scale trafficking busts highlight the importance of interstate cooperation between law enforcement agencies, since traffickers frequently move shipments across multiple states before reaching their destination.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case to determine whether Diaz is part of a larger criminal organization. Investigators also plan to trace where the shipment originated and where it was intended to be delivered.
Police officials said additional arrests could follow depending on what they learn during the course of the investigation.
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