A truck driver and passenger were recently arrested in New Mexico after an inspection led to the discovery of a variety of illegal drugs inside the vehicle.

Around 8 a.m. on January 21, 2022, a New Mexico State Police officer conducted a CMV safety inspection on a 2012 Volvo at the Gallup Port of Entry.

From New Mexico State Police:

As the officer conducted a safety inspection on the CMV, the officer observed seventeen black duffel bags, three cardboard boxes, two plastic totes, and a trash bag within the CMV’s cab and trailer. The officer detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the trailer. New Mexico State Police officers located 489.5 pounds of marijuana, 2.5 pounds of fentanyl, 23.5 pounds of cocaine, 28.5 pounds of THC edibles, and one pound of psychedelic mushrooms concealed inside the duffle bags, plastic totes, cardboard boxes, and trash bag. Two handguns, located inside the cab of the CMV, were also seized.

Louisiana-based truck driver Brandon Ammon Johnson, 39, and Texas-resident passenger Terrance Colin Hicks Jr., 46, were both arrested and booked into the McKinley Adult Detention Center in Gallup.

Johnson was charged with multiple felonies, including trafficking controlled substances-Cocaine, trafficking controlled substances-Fentanyl, distribution of marijuana over 100 pounds, distribution of a controlled substance Schedule I-IV –Psychedelic mushroom.

Hicks was also charged with several felonies, including including trafficking controlled substances-Cocaine, trafficking controlled substances-Fentanyl, distribution of marijuana over 100 pounds, distribution of a controlled substance Schedule I-IV –Psychedelic mushroom, and possession of firearm or destructive device by a felon.