Officer Pulls Van Over, Finds 70 Pounds Of Cocaine
Cocaine Stashed Inside Ceiling

POSTED: 5:38 p.m. PDT August 18, 2005
UPDATED: 7:29 a.m. PDT August 19, 2005


Story by 10News.com

SAN DIEGO -- A patrolwoman who pulled a motorist over for a mechanical violation at a San Ysidro-area intersection Thursday found about 70 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the van, police reported.

San Diego police Officer Roxie Vigil stopped the 1987 Ford Aerostar on Smythe Avenue at Avenida de la Madrid for a malfunctioning taillight shortly before 12:30 p.m., officials said.

Discovering that the driver, 47-year-old Francisco Vergara, had a suspended license and was wanted on two warrants, Vigil began impounding the van.

She then noticed new screws securing a suspicious-looking ceiling panel and decided to search the vehicle with a service dog, according to a San Diego police statement.

Stashed inside the ceiling compartment was 32 kilos of cocaine, according to police. The street value of the cocaine is approximately $544,000.

Vergara, who also was carrying $3,000 in cash, was booked on suspicion of possessing and transporting narcotics for sale.

San Diego police Officer Roxie Vigil

Is it just me, or does that sound HAWT as hell?

Quoted: Is it just me, or does that sound HAWT as hell?

That's a 10-4, over.