Notice to Media

Highway Police Officers Seize Second Large Shipment of Drugs This Week

LITTLE ROCK (9-21) – In a banner week for the Arkansas Highway Police, officers have again seized a large shipment of drugs, according to AHTD Director Dan Flowers.  During a special enforcement action on I-40, the AHP discovered 350 pounds of marijuana during a routine inspection of a tractor-trailer rig on Wednesday morning.

This is the second large shipment of drugs seized by the Highway Police Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in a week.  On Monday, officers uncovered 2,500 pounds of cocaine in a truck near Hope in Hempstead County.  The cocaine had a street value of over $100 million.

In Wednesday’s seizure, marijuana was found during a routine inspection of a truck on I-40 near Mayflower in Central Arkansas. The marijuana, with an approximate street value of $350,000 was found in duffel bags located in the truck cab. So far this year, AHP officers have seized almost three tons of marijuana.

The driver of the truck was taken into custody at the scene. Charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver was Lowell M. Cochran, 42, of Atlanta, Georgia. Faulkner County law enforcement officials are holding Cochran.  Cochran also was charged with possessing a false logbook and possession of a radar detector in a commercial motor vehicle.

“Our officers are very skilled in vehicle inspections and commercial vehicle regulations. They are trained to look for signs of criminal behavior,” Flowers noted.

“It’s an ongoing effort to detect these illegal loads on the state’s highway system,” Highway Police Chief Ron Burks said.

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For Further Information Contact:

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209
Tel: 501-569-2000
FAX: 501-569-2400
e-mail: info@arkansashighways.com