Police seize 24 pounds of cocaine on I-55

A Texas man had his bond set at $5 million after he was arrested allegedly trafficking $500,000 worth of cocaine through Madison County, authorities say.

The man, Roberto Antonio Escobar, 53, of El Paso, Texas, was arrested and charged with careless driving and trafficking in a controlled substance.

Madison Police Captain Kevin Newman said Escobar had an initial court appearance in Madison Municipal Court on Saturday, where his bond was set at $5,000,000. 

“He is still at the Madison County Detention Center,” Newman said.

On Sept. 21, around 8:34 p.m., members of the Criminal Interdiction Task Force conducted a traffic stop in the City of Madison on Interstate 55 northbound near the 109-mile marker, Newman said. At this time, Escobar was stopped driving a 2014 Freightliner for careless driving. 

“During the traffic stop, officers became suspicious of additional criminal activity,” Newman said.

Madison Police K9 Officer “Ira” alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. During a search of the tractor-trailer where approximately 24 pounds of cocaine was discovered concealed inside the Freightliner, according to Newman. He said the drugs have an estimated street value of $500,000.

The case will be forwarded to Madison County District Attorney John “Bubba” Bramlett for prosecution, Newman said.