A traffic stop along Interstate 10 in Austin County on Sunday evening led to the discovery of a large quantity of methamphetamine hidden inside modified rope spools, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Keith Korenek reported that on March 1, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Sgt. Thumann and Investigator Smith with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near the 716 mile marker in Austin County.
During the stop, deputies made contact with the driver and other occupants of the vehicle and observed several indicators of possible criminal activity. Consent was obtained to search the vehicle. Sgt. Thumann then deployed his narcotics detection canine, Kolt, to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. The canine alerted positively to the odor of illegal narcotics.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies located two suspicious spools of rope in the bed of the truck. Further inspection revealed that the spools had been modified to conceal 42 bags of methamphetamine. Investigators determined the drugs had a combined weight of approximately 20 kilograms.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Mario Aranda Gomez, 57, of Houston, was taken into custody and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine. He was transported to the Austin County Jail without incident.
It is estimated that 20 kilograms of methamphetamine could carry a street value ranging from approximately $600,000 to more than $1 million, depending on purity and distribution level.
Under Texas law, possession of more than 400 grams of methamphetamine is classified as a first-degree felony. If convicted, the offense carries a punishment of 10 years to life in prison and a possible fine of up to $100,000.
Members of the Westside Narcotics Task Force (HIDTA) were called to the scene to assist with the investigation.
Based on the direction of travel along the Interstate 10 corridor and other investigative factors, authorities believe the methamphetamine may have originated in Mexico and was destined for distribution in the Houston area.
Officials say the seizure represents a significant disruption to narcotics trafficking operations that use major Texas transportation corridors.
The Austin County Sheriff’s Office patrol division assisted Sgt. Thumann and Investigator Smith during the incident.
The Westside Narcotics Task Force (HIDTA) operates across five counties and includes investigators from the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville Police Department, Sealy Police Department, Hempstead Police Department, Waller County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado County Sheriff’s Office, Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
