A traffic stop in Alhambra, California, led to the seizure of approximately 200 kilos, or 440 pounds, of cocaine, according to police. K-9 Otis alerted officers to an SUV packed with cardboard boxes during the investigation. The driver, Julio Rangel of Huntington Park, was arrested and booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail.

Police said Rangel gave officers two different explanations for the boxes inside the vehicle. Authorities did not disclose what initially prompted the stop, which took place along Valley Boulevard near the 710 Freeway.

Traffic stop begins the investigation

The incident began when Alhambra police stopped an SUV on Valley Boulevard near the 710 Freeway. The stop occurred in Alhambra, a city in Los Angeles County, though police did not specify the reason for the initial enforcement action. During the encounter, officers noticed that the vehicle appeared to contain an unusually large amount of cargo, including numerous cardboard boxes.

The cargo prompted additional questions about what the SUV was carrying and where it was going. Police described the volume of boxes humorously, saying the driver appeared to be transporting more cardboard than Amazon on Prime Day.

Driver offers conflicting explanations

According to police, Julio Rangel, who lives in Huntington Park, first told officers that he was traveling home from his cousin’s house and that the boxes did not belong to him. Police later said he offered a different account during the same investigation.

In the second explanation, Rangel reportedly said he was transporting diesel parts to a shop owned by a friend. The differing accounts added to the officers’ concerns about the contents of the SUV, but the available police account did not provide further details about the vehicle’s ownership, destination, or the alleged source of the packages.

K-9 Otis alerts officers to the SUV

K-9 Otis and his handler joined the investigation after officers examined the vehicle and questioned the driver. Police said Otis alerted to the SUV, indicating that officers should conduct a search related to the canine’s trained detection work.

The alert led officers to inspect the boxes and the vehicle’s cargo area. Police said the search uncovered a large quantity of suspected cocaine concealed among the cardboard boxes. The precise packaging method and the substance’s intended destination were not disclosed.

“Thanks to Otis’ top-tier nose, he alerted to the vehicle, and officers discovered the SUV was packed with approximately 200 kilos of cocaine,” police said.

Cocaine seizure and arrest

Authorities estimated the seized cocaine at approximately 200 kilos, equivalent to roughly 440 pounds. The seizure followed the canine alert and the subsequent search of the SUV. Police identified Rangel as the driver and said he was arrested after the narcotics were found.

Rangel was booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail, according to police. The available account did not state the specific criminal charges, whether additional people were being sought, or whether prosecutors had filed a case. It also did not provide an estimated street value for the cocaine.

Police praise the canine’s work

After the seizure, Alhambra police publicly praised Otis and credited the canine with helping uncover the suspected narcotics. The department referred to the dog as the hero of the operation and used a playful “round of a-paws” message in recognizing his work.

Members of the public also praised Otis online, with some suggesting that he deserved a promotion or a steak dinner. Those reactions followed the department’s account of the alert, which police said was central to the discovery of the cocaine.

Summary

A routine traffic stop in Alhambra developed into a major narcotics seizure after K-9 Otis alerted to an SUV carrying hundreds of pounds of suspected cocaine. Police said the driver gave conflicting accounts about the cardboard boxes before the search. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Julio Rangel, while authorities credited Otis and his handler with helping locate the alleged cocaine shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the traffic stop occur?

Police said the stop took place along Valley Boulevard near the 710 Freeway in Alhambra, California.

How much cocaine did authorities report finding?

Authorities reported finding approximately 200 kilos, or roughly 440 pounds, of cocaine inside the SUV.

Who was arrested?

Police identified the driver as Julio Rangel of Huntington Park and said he was arrested and booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail.

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