A routine seatbelt stop on Interstate 35 near Kyle turned into a major drug bust when Hays County deputies uncovered what they say was a hidden cache of cocaine inside the vehicle. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies ultimately found about 25 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the car, roughly 55 pounds with an estimated value of nearly $325,000. The driver was arrested and booked on a first-degree felony charge of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
As reported by the Austin American-Statesman, the stop happened around 4 p.m. on Saturday at the northbound Exit 215 ramp on I-35 in Kyle, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office. After a K-9 alerted, deputies conducted a full search and said they found packages of cocaine concealed in the vehicle. The sheriff's office identified the driver as an adult Starr County resident and said it would not release additional details while prosecutors review the case.
Charges And What They Mean
State prosecutors charged the driver with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, a first-degree felony. Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, penalties scale up with drug weight: even smaller amounts can bring felony charges, and cases involving hundreds of grams or more can trigger enhanced first-degree penalties with potential decades-long sentences. Because 25 kilograms is far beyond those weight thresholds, a conviction could expose the defendant to some of the toughest sentencing ranges allowed under state law.
How The Public Can Help
The sheriff's office is encouraging residents to stay involved and speak up about suspected narcotics activity. People can call 512-393-7896, use the anonymous tip line at 1-800-324-8477, or submit tips through P3Tips, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Hays County deputies say the investigation remains active and are urging anyone with information to come forward so detectives can pursue additional leads.
Why Seizures This Size Matter
Large, multi-kilogram cocaine seizures often draw wider scrutiny and can lead to federal involvement. In one recent example, a 32-kilogram traffic-stop seizure in Tennessee prompted a federal complaint, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. Local deputies say they are continuing to investigate the Kyle stop and have not indicated whether federal agencies are involved in this case.
