GREENVILLE, N.C. — Authorities in North Carolina say they seized nine kilograms of cocaine packaged to look like Coca-Cola products during a traffic stop.
According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the stop happened near Highway 264 and the N.C. Highway 11 Bypass in Greenville. With the help of a police K-9, officers searched the vehicle and found a suitcase containing the cocaine, which had been wrapped in fake Coca-Cola packaging.
A 32-year-old man from Houston, Texas, Trevino Dionicio, has been charged with multiple counts of Level III trafficking in cocaine. Investigators say additional charges could be filed.
Officials note that disguising drugs as everyday products is a common tactic used by traffickers.
In a separate case, U.S. Customs and Border Protection says officers recently intercepted suspected methamphetamine valued at more than $17 million concealed in a shipment labeled as blackberries. The seizure happened March 23 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility, where officers allegedly discovered 862 packages, totaling nearly 2,000 pounds, hidden within the load.
