The Calera Police Department has arrested two Colombian nationals who were in the United States illegally after a traffic stop turned into a major drug bust.
Police Chief David Hyche said officers stopped a vehicle last Friday for not having a tag light and ended up finding 46 pounds of cocaine.
One of the suspects had a pending narcotics case out of Fulton County, Ga.
"We believe the two suspects were traveling from California to South Florida," said Hyche. "If they chose I-65 to avoid heavy drug interdiction areas, it didn't work out for them."
Homeland Security was called in for federal prosecution, and the two will also face state charges.
Hyche said the case is an example of why law enforcement should continue making stops for minor traffic violations despite critics.
"We in law enforcement don't make laws, we enforce them," he said. "In my five years in Calera, we have rescued two children in danger after traffic stops for minor violations, and now 21 kilograms of cocaine won't be distributed in our country due to a stop for no tag light."
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