POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

San Bernardino Vehicle Stop Triggers $45 Million Drug Seizure

The department's narcotics division confiscated approximately 2,750 pounds of cocaine, 67 pounds of methamphetamine and 38,000 pounds of marijuana, after searching the tractor trailer.

June 25, 2010
San Bernardino Vehicle Stop Triggers $45 Million Drug Seizure

Photo courtesy of DEA.

A traffic stop by a San Bernardino Sheriff's Department deputy triggered the seizure of approximately $45 million worth of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The department's narcotics division confiscated approximately 2,750 pounds of cocaine, 67 pounds of methamphetamine and 38,000 pounds of marijuana in the drug seizure , after searching the tractor trailer.

Ad Loading...

"This is one of the largest seizures in the county and I will make every effort to continue this aggressive fight against drug traffickers entering San Bernardino County," Sheriff Rod Hoops said about the bust.

On Wednesday at approximately 11 a.m., deputies with the San Bernardino Sheriff's High Intensity Criminal Interdiction Unit pulled over the rig, which was travelling eastbound on Interstate 10, for a traffic violation.

Deputies questioned the driver, 32-year-old Fernando Luevano of Fontana, and found that the paperwork for his load was not in order. Leuvano gave consent to search the vehicle and upon opening the trailer, the deputies noticed an overwhelming odor of marijuana.

A further search of the trailer yielded 92 pallets containing thousands of heat-sealed packages of illegal narcotics. Field testing of the packages yielded positive results for cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Luevano was arrested and booked for possession, transportation and sales of narcotics. His bail is set at $5 million.

"This was a brazen transportation of 40,000 pounds of drugs, more than 18 tons of drugs that could have ended up in neighborhoods throughout California," said Timothy Landrum, special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration. "This seizure will have a direct impact on the availability of these dangerous drugs in our communities."

The DEA's Riverside office and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's narcotics division are continuing this joint investigation.

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor, with headline text featuring Axon
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 16, 2025

From the Show Floor: Axon

Join POLICE as we visit with Abi Stock, of Axon, to learn about the company’s latest technology offerings, such as Axon Assistant, Form One, and the DFR integration with Skydio.

Read More →
side view of a ballistic helmet in studio setting, black background, with sparks and smoke
PatrolNovember 16, 2025

Back Face Deformation, Brain Injury and Ballistic Helmets – Why the “Dent Doesn’t Matter” Claim Ignores Science

Alex Poythress, co-founder and CEO of Ballistic Armor Co., explains why ballistic helmet buyers should insist on full test data, including BFD measurements, standoff distance, and padding configuration, rather than rely solely on penetration ratings.

Read More →
Pink Streamlight Wedge XT flashlight.
PatrolNovember 13, 2025

Streamlight Marks 15 Years of Support for Breast Cancer Research Foundation With $20k Donation

In its 15th year of supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Streamlight donated $20,000 to help in the fight against cancer. Donations were generated through the sale of special Wedge XT models and other pink flashlights.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
center circle image of PTSD Help Expanded surrounded by military and first responder images
PatrolNovember 11, 2025

Police-Led Mental Health Charity Expands to Include Veterans

Talk To Me Post Tour (TTMPT), a non-profit organization that has been providing peer-support programs and professional psychological support for first responders, is now expanding services to military veterans.

Read More →
police officer holding a folded flag and headline for Officer Killed
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

WakeMed Campus Police Officer Killed in Hospital Shooting

A WakeMed Campus Police Officer died after being shot in the lobby of the emergency department at a North Carolina hospital over the weekend.

Read More →
Black background with blue graphic outline of state of Florida and headline Video Released: barricaded Suspect Falls Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody.
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

Video Shows Barricaded Suspect Fall Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody

Deputies in Indian River County, Florida, apprehended a suspect after he fell through the ceiling with SWAT members waiting below. The sheriff’s department released video of the apprehension.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring T2 Systems.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 10, 2025

From the Show Floor: T2 Systems

Learn about T2 Systems and its electronic parking enforcement solutions. Retired Chief John Holland outlines the benefits of using such a system to manage parking enforcement.

Read More →
view of a mobile observation trailer deployed in a parking lot against a blue sky
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 10, 2025

Texas Police Department Adds Reconview Tower

A Texas police chief shares how the Decatur Police Department will use its new Reconview observation tower.

Read More →
Thumbnail for POLICE video From theShow Floor: Traka
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 30, 2025

From the Show Floor: Traka

Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
image of conference stage top left, inset image of two men standing at right, and lower left logo for Team Wendy
PatrolOctober 29, 2025

Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium

Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.

Read More →