Texas troopers get to keep semi seized in drug bust

Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) have been awarded a truck and trailer that were seized by authorities following a drug charge against the truck driver.

The 100th Judicial District Attorney has awarded a 2010 Peterbilt and a Great Dane Trailer to the Texas DPS Aircraft Operations Division, according to a report from KLTV.

The truck and trailer will reportedly be used as a mobile command center and support vehicle for the division.

The semi truck was seized by Texas DPS in March of 2018 after the truck driver was arrested on a second degree felony marijuana possession charge.

The truck driver pled guilty to the charge in the spring of 2019.

The 100th Judicial District Attorney’s Office says that they have the right to seize any property with connection to illegal activity.

“Thanks to the combined efforts of the Texas DPS Highway Patrol and the Criminal Investigators Division, as well as 100th Judicial District Attorney, Luke Inman, we are able to put this support vehicle to good use,” said DPS Lieutenant Pilot Cody Klaehn. “This equipment will give us the ability to better serve the citizens of Texas by responding to an emergency scene to support our personnel and aircraft. This on-site command post will be crucial for communication and coordination as it is deployed to emergency scenes.”

Texas DPS says that they’ll store the seized truck in Austin.