Mexican Nationals Arrested with Kilo of Meth

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s deputies turned up drugs and a large amount of money during a recent bust, according to Sheriff Larry Smith. On September 15 at approximately 12:04 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on a Toyota Tacoma headed south on Front Street near the Beckham intersection. Both the driver and passenger were identified as Mexican Nationals. Both individuals indicated they could not understand or speak English and were acting in a suspicious manner, according to Smith.

A short time later, a K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A search was conducted and a false compartment was located within the cab, according to Smith, who says a kilogram of methamphetamine was recovered from the compartment. The sheriff says approximately $35,000 in cash was also recovered from the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were identified as 33-year-old Baldimar Mandoza-Contresas and 28-year-old Daniel Mendoza. Both were arrested and charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1. Smith says publicity on the case was delayed due to additional investigative activity and that the investigation is continuing.