Tampa, FL – A routine early morning traffic stop in Hillsborough County escalated into a major drug bust after deputies allegedly discovered a large quantity of cocaine inside a rented U-Haul truck.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the stop occurred Wednesday just after 3 a.m. along the Causeway Boulevard corridor after deputies allegedly observed multiple traffic violations. Authorities said the driver, identified as 34-year-old Luis Pedroza, allegedly failed to pull over for more than a mile and resisted commands before being taken into custody.
Officials reported that a K-9 unit, working with a handler in their first week on duty, alerted deputies to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A subsequent search allegedly revealed approximately 5.5 pounds of cocaine concealed within the truck.
Pedroza is now facing charges of trafficking in cocaine — reportedly between 400 grams and 150 kilograms — and resisting an officer without violence. Investigators allege that the quantity of drugs recovered suggests distribution-level activity rather than personal use.
Authorities also stated Pedroza allegedly has a prior criminal history, including federal weapons charges in Puerto Rico. It remains unclear whether this incident is connected to any broader drug trafficking operations, though officials indicated the investigation is ongoing.
The sheriff’s office highlighted the traffic stop as an example of proactive enforcement and the effectiveness of K-9 units in intercepting illegal narcotics moving through the region.
Pedroza remains in custody as of Wednesday, and no additional suspects have been publicly identified. Officials encourage anyone with information related to alleged drug activity to contact local law enforcement.
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