Massive Cocaine Bust in Hesperia worth $2.3 Million

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HESPERIA: Two men were arrested after officers found nearly $2.3 million in cocaine stashed inside the sleeper of a big rig truck.

On March 11, 2014, at 10:20 PM, Sergeant Kevin Ferber from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station was driving through the parking lot of the Motel 6 located at 9757 Cataba Road in Hesperia. He noticed two suspicious vehicles parked in the rear parking lot.

According to the release sergeant Ferber made contact with 39-year-old Edward Sandoval, a resident of San Fernando who was in the rear cargo area of his cargo box truck. The box truck was parked in front of a big rig truck.

Upon contact with Sandoval, a second suspect identified as Dave Leblanc, 41, a resident of Quebec Canada exited the big rig truck and walked to the Motel 6.

Through his investigation, Ferber believed Sandoval was involved in criminal activity and received permission to search Sandoval’s vehicle. Located in the cargo area was 27 kilos of cocaine and Sandoval was arrested. Believing Leblanc was also involved in this criminal activity, he was contacted and detained in his motel room.

An exterior search of Leblanc’s big rig truck was conducted by a narcotics detection K9 which resulted in a positive alert. A search of Leblanc’s truck was conducted and located inside the sleeper area was 80 kilos of cocaine.

In total 107 Kilos (approximately 234 pounds) of cocaine was seized. Sgt Ferber interrupted the transfer of cocaine from the box van into the big rig. It is believed the cocaine was headed to Canada. The value of cocaine found was estimated to be approximately $2.3 million.

Sandoval and Leblanc were booked into the High Desert Detention Center and are being held on $5,000,000 bail.

source: San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department