Truck driver charged after $12.5 million worth of cocaine found hidden in trailer floor

A truck driver is facing up to life in prison after he was allegedly caught attempting to smuggle $12.5 million worth of cocaine into the U.S.

On October 13, Oswaldo Lopez-Escobar was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On October 4, Lopez-Escobar was driving a semi truck and attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona.

During an inspection of the vehicle, officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection discovered 155 packages of cocaine concealed in the floor of the trailer.

The cocaine weighed 1294.2 pounds with an estimated street value of $10.7 and $12.5 million.

If convicted, Lopez-Escobar faces a maximum penalty of up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of $10,000,000.00, or both; and a term of between five years and lifetime supervised release.

The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the case.