Interstate 10 Traffic Stop Leads to Major Marijuana Bust in Baldwin County

Baldwin County, AL (BuzzReport) — A routine traffic stop along Interstate 10 turned into a significant drug trafficking arrest after Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office deputies uncovered a large quantity of marijuana concealed inside a vehicle traveling cross-country.

According to authorities, deputies stopped a vehicle near the 58-mile marker on I-10 and identified the driver as Andres Hernandez, 30, who was traveling from Canyon Country, California, to Miami, Florida. During the stop, deputies requested assistance from the Loxley Police Department, deploying a K9 unit to conduct a free air sniff around the vehicle.

The K9 alerted to the presence of a narcotic odor, prompting deputies to conduct a search of the vehicle. Inside the trunk, investigators discovered approximately 65 pounds of marijuana hidden in trash bags and duffel bags, authorities said.

Hernandez was taken into custody at the scene and charged with drug trafficking. Officials say the amount of marijuana seized indicates the drugs were intended for distribution rather than personal use.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office credited the coordinated efforts of its deputies and the Loxley Police Department K9 unit for the successful interdiction, noting that Interstate 10 remains a major corridor for narcotics trafficking.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed as authorities work to determine the source and intended destination of the drugs.