The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office reported the seizure of approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine following a traffic stop conducted Sunday evening along Interstate 10. Sheriff Keith Korenek stated the stop occurred on March 1, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m. The vehicle was traveling eastbound near the 716-mile marker in neighboring Austin County when it was stopped by Sergeant Thumann and Investigator Smith. Authorities said the stop ultimately led to the discovery of a large quantity of narcotics concealed inside the vehicle.

Traffic Stop Along Interstate 10

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies initiated the stop after observing the vehicle traveling eastbound along the Interstate 10 corridor. Upon making contact with the driver and occupants, deputies observed several indicators of criminal activity. Based on those observations, consent to search the vehicle was requested and obtained at the scene. Authorities said the interaction escalated into a narcotics investigation after additional indicators were identified.

K-9 Alert Leads to Probable Cause Search

Sergeant Thumann deployed his narcotics detection canine, “Kolt,” to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. Kolt alerted positively to the odor of illegal narcotics during the inspection. The alert provided deputies with probable cause to conduct a more detailed search of the vehicle. Investigators then began a systematic search of both the cab and the bed of the truck.

Modified Rope Spools Concealed Methamphetamine

During the search, deputies located two suspicious spools of rope in the bed of the truck. Authorities said the spools appeared altered and inconsistent with standard construction. Further inspection revealed that the spools had been modified to conceal contraband inside the core of the material. Deputies ultimately discovered 42 bags of methamphetamine hidden within the spools, with a combined weight of approximately 20 kilograms.

Houston Man Arrested and Charged

The driver was identified as Mario Aranda Gomez, 57, of Houston. He was placed under arrest at the scene and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine. Gomez was transported to the Austin County Jail without incident, according to authorities. The charge is an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Multi-Agency Response and Ongoing Investigation

Members of the Westside Narcotics Task Force (HIDTA) responded to assist with the investigation following the seizure. The task force includes investigators from multiple local agencies as well as federal partners, including the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Based on the totality of the circumstances and the direction of travel along the Interstate 10 corridor, investigators believe the methamphetamine may have originated from Mexico. Authorities indicated the narcotics were allegedly destined for distribution in the Houston area.

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office patrol division assisted Fayette County deputies during the stop and subsequent investigation. Sheriff Korenek stated that the seizure represents a significant disruption to narcotics trafficking activity utilizing major Texas travel corridors. Interstate 10 is a primary east-west transportation route frequently monitored by law enforcement for criminal trafficking activity. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to working alongside regional and federal partners to combat the movement of illegal drugs through Central Texas.

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