Chase Leads To Chaos On I-10, Suspected Drug Runner Caught

EL PASO, Tx. – A multi-agency, high-speed chase on I-10 results in the detention of a suspected drug runner and his drug load.

According to law enforcement officials, the chase started near the Ft. Hancock Port of Entry, 59 miles east of El Paso. Agents spotted a suspicious vehicle near the bridge which then fled into the US and onto the freeway.

US Customs, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department units chased a late-model ford pickup truck from the county, all the way into city limits.

Once in the city limits, El Paso Police joined in the chase, and began shutting off the entrance ramps to the freeway. The chase came to an end on I-10 west, just before theMcRae entrance ramp.

The suspect was unable to get around several tractor-trailer rigs that had slowed to hamper his getaway. His truck then struck a Ford Explorer, forcing him out of the vehicle.

TxDot traffic cameras caught the suspect as he ran from the truck and was quickly tackled by several law enforcement officials.

El Paso County Sheriff’s officials say they found nearly1000 pounds of pot in the bed of the truck, covered by bags of animal feed.

A US Customs Blackhawk helicopter was also involved in the chase.

TxDoT officials closed I-10 West and the Yarbrough on-ramp (west-bound) for at least2 hours as they cleared the scene.