The Criminal Interdiction Task Force conducted a traffic stop last week in the City of Madison that netted around 24 pounds of cocaine on Interstate 55 northbound near the 109 mile marker, officials say.

Roberto Antonio Escobar of El Paso, Texas was stopped driving a 2014 Freightliner for careless driving. During the traffic stop, officers became suspicious of additional criminal activity.

Madison Police K9 Officer Ira alerted officers to the presence of narcotics and during a search of the tractor trailer, approximately 24 pounds of cocaine was discovered concealed inside the Freightliner. Roberto Escobar was arrested for Aggravated Trafficking of a Controlled Substance and Careless Driving.

Escobar is currently being detained at the Madison County Detention Center where he is awaiting his Initial Appearance in Municipal Court. The case will be forwarded to Madison/Rankin County District Attorney John “Bubba” Bramlett for prosecution.