Half ton of meth found in roof of empty tractor trailer

Half a ton of methamphetamines were found in the roof of an empty tractor trailer passing through Georgia late last week. 

The contraband was discovered in Troup County, Georgia on Wednesday, February 25th. 

According to Fox5Atlanta, federal investigators stopped the tractor trailer after receiving a tip about a tractor trailer traveling from the Texas/Mexico border and farther into the country. DEA agents initially found only an empty trailer, but soon discovered a hidden compartment in the roof of the trailer. 

“Based on additional inspection by DEA agents and investigators, they determined that there was a concealed compartment or a hidden compartment in the ceiling and/or roof of the trailer,” said Michael Mayer, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Division. “Investigators were surprised to find the entire roof full of drugs.”

Investigators soon discovered over 1,100 pounds, more than a half ton, of meth hidden inside of the roof compartment. The drugs have an estimated street value of about $25 million. 

“More frequently, we see the drugs are concealed underneath legitimate loads of goods, or it could be impregnated into the actual goods hidden in things,” Mayer said. ‘In this particular case, the trailer itself was the concealment device.”

The truck driver has since been identified as 62-year-old Peguy Daniel Auguste. He was arrested and charged with drug trafficking. He has been granted a $10,000 bond. He is being represented by the Georgia Public Defender Council. He is still in custody and awaiting trial. 

“We recognize the community’s concern, but remind the public that at this stage of the case Mr. Auguste is presumed innocent. We will review the evidence and address it in court, not in the press. We ask the public to avoid speculation while the legal process unfolds,” a GPDC spokesperson said in a statement.