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K-9 Otis Helps Police Seize 440 Pounds of Cocaine During Alhambra Traffic Stop
By Drooid · · How we work
Massive Cocaine Seizure in Alhambra Traffic Stop
The Alhambra Police Department announced that a routine traffic stop on Valley Boulevard near the 710 Freeway turned into a large drug bust after a police K-9 alerted officers to an SUV packed with cardboard boxes. A subsequent search uncovered approximately 200 kilograms (about 440 pounds) of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle.
How the K-9 Unit Operated
According to the department’s social-media release, the canine, identified as Otis, signaled the presence of contraband, prompting officers to conduct a full vehicle search. The department credited Otis’s “top-tier nose” for locating the narcotics, describing the dog’s performance as the key factor that led to the discovery.
Driver’s Changing Explanations and Arrest
The driver, identified as Julio Rangel of Huntington Park, initially told police he was returning home from his cousin’s house and that the boxes did not belong to him. He later claimed the cargo consisted of diesel parts destined for a friend’s shop. After the K-9 alert and vehicle search, Rangel was arrested and booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail.
Quantities Seized and Legal Follow-up
The seized cocaine, estimated at 200 kilograms, represents a significant street-level drug quantity. The department has not disclosed the exact charges pending against Rangel, but the arrest follows standard procedures for large-scale narcotics offenses in California.
Reactions and Potential Impact
Social-media users praised Otis, with many suggesting the dog deserved special recognition or a promotion. The department highlighted the bust as a demonstration of the effectiveness of K-9 units in drug interdiction, underscoring the role such teams play in disrupting large shipments of illegal substances.