28 Kilos & Counting: Texas Duo Busted with Cocaine

SHREVEPORT, La. – Twenty-eight kilograms of powder cocaine. That’s what Louisiana State Police troopers found stashed inside a tricked-out speaker box during a routine traffic stop on I-20, and now two Texas men are facing serious federal heat. U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Ricardo Garcia, 37, and Jesus Christian Martinez, 33, both of Brownsville, Texas, on charges that could land them in prison for the rest of their lives.

The bust went down February 3, 2015, in Bossier Parish. Troopers pulled over a vehicle heading east on I-20 sporting North Carolina plates – plates that weren’t registered to anyone connected to the car. Something didn’t sit right. A K-9 unit was brought in, and the dog immediately keyed in on the trunk, specifically a large speaker box. A search revealed the 28 kilogram packages of powder cocaine, neatly concealed within.

According to the indictment and testimony presented during a preliminary examination and detention hearing held on February 6, 2015, Garcia and Martinez are accused of conspiracy with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute the massive amount of cocaine. This wasn’t a casual joyride; this was a calculated attempt to flood the streets with poison.

If convicted on either of the two counts, the pair face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life behind bars. On top of that, they’re looking at five years of supervised release after they finally get out – if they ever get out – and a staggering $10 million fine. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; this is a serious attempt to dismantle a drug operation.

The investigation was a joint effort between the DEA-Shreveport Office and Louisiana State Police, a clear signal that federal and state agencies are working together to choke off the flow of drugs into the region. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is handling the prosecution, and she’s got a solid case built on evidence and canine intuition.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation. Ricardo Garcia and Jesus Christian Martinez are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But the evidence speaks for itself. Twenty-eight kilograms doesn’t just appear out of thin air. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as they become available.