$2.8 million worth of cocaine found under truck bed

BARSTOW • A traffic stop on Interstate 15 between Barstow and Victorville uncovered about 70 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $2.8 million, hidden in a compartment under the bed of a pickup truck.

The driver of the truck, Benjamin Schwarz, 25, and passenger Jakub Lonski, 29, both of British Columbia, were arrested on suspicion of transportation of cocaine, with additional charges likely pending, officials said.

Detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s High Intensity Criminal Interdiction team, who declined to be identified by name, said they stopped the pickup truck on northbound Interstate 15 north of Hodge Road at about 12:50 p.m., after seeing the truck swerve abruptly in front of another car as a sheriff’s vehicle approached.

The driver and passenger appeared nervous and gave inconsistent stories about their travel plans, officials said. The driver gave consent for detectives to search the truck.

Detectives said they noticed a discrepancy in the depth of the truck bed, leading them to think there might be a compartment underneath. A drug-sniffing dog that was brought to help in the search also gave an alert at the back of the truck. Detectives drilled a hole in the bottom of the truck bed, and a substance that was later field-tested positive as cocaine began to fall out of it.

Officials had the truck towed to City Towing on Old Highway 58 in Barstow, where they opened the bed of the truck and found a compartment full of cocaine underneath.

To report information relating to this case, call the Barstow sheriff’s station at 760-256-4838. People wishing to remain anonymous can call WE-TIP at 800-78-CRIME or visit the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or asewell@desertdispatch.com