Florida Highway Patrol troopers discovered 12 kilos of cocaine worth an estimated $1.2 million hidden inside a car that was initially pulled over for illegally tinted windows, NBC Miami reports.
Troopers were conducting their routine patrol of Interstate 75 on Tuesday when they spotted a red 2016 Dodge Journey with an illegal tint. The intention was to give a citation to driver Elizabeth Espinoza, 27, but they grew suspicious when she looked visibly nervous. A K-9 was brought over to search the vehicle, which led to their unexpected discovery.
In a news release obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, the cocaine was found "hidden within the dashboard and other voids within the vehicle," and in the rear of the car.
Espinoza has been arrested and charged with two counts of cocaine possession, one count of cocaine trafficking, and one count of public order crimes. She is being held on $34,000 bail.
