PHOENIX — An Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper seized over 550 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Holbrook, authorities announced Wednesday.
The suspect, 31-year-old Amarjeet Singh Matharu, was allegedly transporting the drugs in produce boxes inside a tractor-trailer. The shipment was en route from California to Canada, according to DPS officials.
Details of the Arrest
The traffic stop occurred Monday in Holbrook, a city in eastern Arizona approximately 186 miles north of Phoenix. A state trooper stopped Matharu and identified “multiple indicators of criminal activity” that warranted a search of the vehicle.
Authorities discovered 553.8 pounds of cocaine concealed in the trailer, with an estimated street value of $16.6 million to $22.1 million.
Matharu was arrested at the scene and booked into the Navajo County Jail.
Ongoing Investigation
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is continuing to investigate the case, which highlights the state’s role as a transit point in international drug smuggling operations.
This significant seizure serves as a reminder of law enforcement’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and secure Arizona’s highways.