Cops make big pot bust in Montgomery Co.

PORTER, TX (KTRK) -- Police in Porter made a huge drug bust late yesterday. They pulled over an 18-wheeler with a shipment of fruit, but stuffed inside, they also found more than 2,300 pounds of marijuana.

At first search, the load in that big rig looked normal with pallets of mangos, limes, and other fruit. But a more detailed search revealed thick black packages that turned out to be a lot of marijuana.

A Montgomery County law enforcement officer saw the big rig stalled along Highway 59 and Northpark yesterday around 5pm. After speaking with the driver, authorities say the officer became suspicious and with consent to search the truck, found about 2,500 pounds of packaged marijuana.

The pot was tucked away and mixed in with boxes of produce. The Montgomery County district attorney estimates the drugs' street value at $2.5 million.

"What we are trying to do is go to the source and find out where it came from, perhaps where it was going to," said Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon. "So the combined agencies will continue their investigation. Hopefully it will result in a successful prosecution."

The drugs were seized. The unidentified driver was arrested and will be booked into the Montgomery County jail.

As for the fruit, the district attorney says it will likely be donated or thrown out.

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local, samica knight

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