WHARTON — A traffic stop within the city limits of Wharton led to the seizure of approximately 43 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of a Mississippi man, according to the Wharton Police Department.

Authorities said the seizure occurred on U.S. 59/I-69 on June 23. Sgt. J. Pannell of the Wharton Police Department and Investigator P. Pearman of the Live Oak County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that resulted in the arrest.

The suspect was identified as Ricardo Hernandez Pequeno, 28, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was booked into the Wharton County Jail on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument.

Jail records show Hernandez Pequeno was booked on June 23 at approximately 12:28 p.m. One of the charges listed is Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1/1-B, 400 grams or more, a felony offense under Texas law. Bond information was not available at the time of booking.

The Wharton Police Department stated that Sgt. Pannell and Investigator Pearman are members of the Central Texas Criminal Interdiction Unit (CTXCIU), a multi-agency effort focused on identifying and intercepting criminal activity along Texas highways.

A photograph released by authorities shows dozens of packaged bundles of suspected cocaine displayed between two law enforcement vehicles near an Interstate 69 sign.

The case remains active, and Hernandez Pequeno is awaiting arraignment.

Editor’s Note: All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are based on information provided by law enforcement and court records and may change as the case progresses.

Source: Wharton Police Department and Wharton County Jail records.