Video: Sheriff Says I-22 Favorite Route For Drug Smugglers

NEW ALBANY, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a brief initial appearance for all three suspects.  A cash only bond of $250,000 was set for each suspect.
Thirty two year old Alicia Herrera Ramirez, Manuel Galavizu and Samantha Ybarra Luna were arrested early Wednesday morning when an Union County deputy stopped a truck for not having a license plate.  In fact, the paper tag, registered in Texas, had blown under the truck’s bed and out of sight of the officer.

“Upon stop and conducting roadside interview with individuals, in the truck, it raised his level of suspicion high enough that he thought he needed to call K 9 officer out,” said Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards.

“Dutch” a four year veteran of the Union County Sheriff’s Department, quickly alerted his handler to the illegal cargo.

“The search of the vehicle revealed 33 and a half pounds of cocaine, concealed in duffel bags in the bed of the truck,” Sheriff Edwards said.

The traffic stop was made along an eastbound section of I 22 between Myrtle and New Albany.  Sheriff Edwards says I 22, which connects Memphis to Birmingham, is not only convenient for motorists, but is also a favorite route for drug smugglers.

“It is probably a major thoroughfare for something like that to occur,” he said.

The sheriff says the case also shows the importance of so called “routine traffic stops” and how they often lead to more serious charges.   All three suspects face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.  Ramirez and Galavizu were in the United States illegally.

The cocaine has a street value of around $600,000.  Also, more than $6,000 in cash was seized, along with the Ford pickup truck.