![LSP Arrests Houston Man Transporting 34 Pounds Of Cocaine](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/06/34-lbs.-of-Cocaine-Photo-Courtesy-of-LSP-630x509.jpg?w=980&q=75)
LSP Arrests Houston Man Transporting 34 Pounds Of Cocaine
Nearly a half million dollars worth of cocaine is off the streets thanks to vigilant Louisiana state troopers who were patrolling Interstate 12 Wednesday morning.
Troopers in the Hammond area stopped a Nissan Rogue driven by 51-year-old Michael Mendez of Houston for a traffic violation at approximately 10 a.m. After suspecting criminal activity, a trooper requested, and was granted, permission to search the vehicle.
Michael Mendez Photo Courtesy of LSP
What he found was a semi-automatic handgun and 15.5 kilograms (34.2 lbs.) of cocaine worth more than $450,000 concealed in a compartment.
Mendez was arrested for felony possession of Cocaine over 400 grams and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
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