K9 Otis uncovers 440-pound cocaine haul in Alhambra traffic stop
Police in Alhambra stopped a vehicle loaded with cardboard boxes and, after K9 Otis alerted, found roughly 200 kilos of cocaine inside.
Alhambra police halted an SUV filled with a large number of cardboard boxes on a stretch of road close to Valley Boulevard and the 710 Freeway. The driver, identified as Julio Rangel from Huntington Park, initially told officers he was heading home after visiting a cousin and later changed his story to say he was transporting diesel parts for a friend. After the initial explanations, K9 unit Otis was deployed and alerted to the vehicle, prompting a search that uncovered roughly 200 kilos (about 440 pounds) of cocaine concealed within the boxes.
The discovery turned a routine stop into a major drug bust. Rangel was arrested and booked at the Alhambra Police Department jail. The police department praised Otis for his role, noting the canine’s contribution to the seizure.
Why it matters
The seizure highlights the effectiveness of K9 units in detecting large drug shipments during ordinary police stops.
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