Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jan 2002
Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY)
Copyright: 2002 The Courier-Journal
Contact:  http://www.courier-journal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97
Author: Mark Pitsch, The Courier-Journal

57 POUNDS OF COCAINE DISCOVERED IN TRUCK

Driver From Iowa Arrested At I-65 Weigh Station

An Iowa truck driver who law-enforcement authorities said was carrying 57 
pounds of cocaine valued at $850,000 was arrested yesterday morning in what 
they called the biggest drug bust ever on Kentucky's highways.

James M. Wall, 57, of Cedar Rapids, was traveling north on Interstate 65 
near Franklin, Ky., just across the border from Tennessee, when he pulled 
his semi into a state weigh station. Officers there became suspicious, and 
a drugsniffing dog led them to two suitcases filled with 57 pounds of 
cocaine, said Lt. Randal Jenkins of the Kentucky Division of Vehicle 
Enforcement, part of the state Transportation Cabinet.

That amount surpassed the 55 pounds of cocaine seized last year on I-75 
near Dry Ridge, Ky., Jenkins said in a phone interview.

''This would be the largest one in Kentucky history in terms of highway 
seizure,'' Jenkins said.

Lt. Lisa Rudzinski, public affairs commander for the Kentucky State Police, 
said that the drug interdiction ''would rank close to the top'' in the 
state's history.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation, 
Jenkins said. Agency officials could not be reached last night for comment.

Wall also had a third suitcase filled with an estimated $600,000, Jenkins said.

Wall was being held in the Warren County Jail in Bowling Green last night, 
Jenkins said. He was charged with cocaine trafficking, possession of three 
handguns, disorderly conduct and wanton endangerment of a police officer.

Shannon Chelf, one of two vehicle enforcement officers who stopped Wall, 
said in a phone interview last night that the arrest was ''pretty sweet.''

''We know it's out there,'' Chelf said of cocaine trafficking on Kentucky 
highways. ''We've been trying for a long time to get this.''

Chelf said he and Steve Burke, the officers on duty at the weigh station 
about three miles north of the Tennessee border, flagged Wall because they 
did not recognize the hauling company he worked for. That company is J Fer 
of Greensboro, N.C., Jenkins said.

They conducted a safety check of the semi and examined Wall's credentials. 
Chelf said Wall appeared nervous.

''Just talking to the guy, things didn't add up,'' Chelf said. ''The things 
he told us, the way he acted, made us suspicious.''

After initially consenting to have his truck inspected, Wall refused, Chelf 
said. Burke then escorted Shelby, a drug-sniffing dog, to the semi's cab.

''The dog immediately started scratching the driver's side of the truck,'' 
Chelf said.

In the cab the officers found two suitcases full of cocaine and the third 
stuffed with money, he said.

''It's pretty weird,'' Chelf said. ''You don't always see money with drugs, 
and you very rarely see money going north.''

Wall, Chelf said, fit a profile of cocaine haulers on U.S. highways -- 
white and middleaged. ''Everybody's grandpa, basically,'' he said of Wall, 
''which is consistent with what's going on nationally.''

Jenkins said Wall's itinerary showed he was traveling from Ontario, Calif., 
to Indianapolis. He had no cargo, Jenkins said.

''At this point we have no idea where the positive dropoff point of the 
contraband would be,'' he said.

Jenkins said the investigation is continuing.

He said J Fer was not under investigation as of late last night. The 
company was not cited for any violations, Jenkins said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D