$5.5 Million of Cocaine Seized as Police Arrest 2 New Yorkers

I'd be willing to bet these two New Yorkers regret coming down to the Bayou State.

Early Monday morning around 6:00 a.m., 32-year-old Melvin Contreras and 40-year-old Pedro Sarante - both of New York - were traveling east along Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish when Louisiana State Police Troopers pulled them over. As the traffic stop was happening, Troopers say they became suspicious that something more serious was wrong so they asked to search the 2005 Peterbilt 387. Once consent was given, authorities say they found 55 kilograms of suspected cocaine that has an estimated street value of $5.5 million.

Cocaine Bust, Facebook via Louisiana State Police

After following up with federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security, the case was referred to federal authorities. Meanwhile, both Contreras and Sarante were booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

Louisiana State Troopers will continue to provide the citizens of Louisiana a safer community through proactive drug related enforcement and cooperative efforts with local and federal law enforcement agencies," says a news release sent out by Louisiana State Police. "Troopers will target local and multi-state drug trafficking organizations by enforcing all state and federal laws governing the illicit manufacturing, distribution, sale, and use of drugs.

Speaking Of Taking Drugs Off Our Streets

Opelousas Police can claim a drug bust of their own today as a traffic stop yielded the arrest of 28-year-old Benjimin Phillips.

An officer on patrol Wednesday morning noticed a vehicle on Heather Drive with an expired temporary license plate. When the officer pulled over Phillips, Opelousas Police say there was a strong odor of what appeared to be marijuana and additional drugs along with two weapons were found after consent was given.

Phillips faces the following charges:

Possession with intent to distribute Scheduled 1
Illegal possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS
Possession with intent to distribute Schedule 4 Drugs
Possession of drug paraphernalia

Remember, if you notice any criminal activity, contact Opelousas Police at 337-948-2500, crimetips@opelousaspd.com, or through Crime Stoppers (337-948-TIPS, www.stlandrycrimestoppers.com or by using the P3 mobile App.) Tipsters can remain anonymous. Tipsters can receive up to a $1000.00 cash reward.

Here Is How To Blur Your Home On Google Street View

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

How Many in America: From Guns to Ghost Towns

Can you take a guess as to how many public schools are in the U.S.? Do you have any clue as to how many billionaires might be residing there? Read on to find out—and learn a thing or two about each of these selection’s cultural significance and legacy along the way.