By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
A Brewton man was recently arrested in Texas when border patrol agents recovered more than 600 pounds of marijuana in a tractor-trailer truck he was driving.
According to Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin, Christopher D. Hubbard, 32, of 212 Pine Street, was arrested on Nov. 27. According to a written statement by one of the border patrol agents assigned to traffic point duties, Hubbard, who was driving a white tractor trailer bearing Alabama license plates, was stopped at the U.S. border patrol checkpoint, 13 miles south of Falfurrias, Texas, on Highway 281 at 2:15 a.m.
When the vehicle came to a complete stop, the agent asked for identification – Hubbard identified himself.
The statement said that Hubbard avoided eye contact when asked where he was heading.
Hubbard eventually revealed to the agent he was heading to San Antonio from Harlingen, Texas.
During questioning the agent said that Hubbard continued to avoid contact and would look back at the service canine who was assisting the agent.
The border patrol agent followed with a routine immigration inspection of the truck.
According to the statement, the agent conducted a &#8220non-intrusive free air sniff using the canine.”
During the inspection, the canine alerted to agents an odor coming from the back of the truck. Canines used in border patrols checkpoints are trained to detect specific odors, particularly narcotics.
Due to Hubbard's nervous behavior and the canine alert, agents asked Hubbard for consent to search inside the vehicle. During the search, the canine alerted agents again that the odor was coming from the back of the cabin. Agents climbed into the back of the truck for a more thorough search.
Agents discovered bundles, wrapped in shelf paper and clear plastic, on top and underneath the cabin bed, as well as in the closet. The bundles were cut open and revealed marijuana.
A total of 26 wrapped bundles with a gross estimated weight of 606 pounds were seized. McGougin said the bundles had an estimated value of $484,000.
Hubbard is currently being held in federal jail in Corpus Christi, Texas.