Texas Trooper Arrested With Suitcases of Cocaine Appears in Court

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A Texas trooper appeared in federal court in Brownsville today on a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Investigators say 35-year-old Department of Public Safety Trooper Jesus Rafael Larrazolo was caught with two suitcases full of cocaine.

DPS spokeswoman Lisa Block says Larrazolo resigned after his arrest Friday.

Brownsville police and FBI agents saw Larrazolo pull into a parking lot next to another vehicle, then take two suitcases from it.

Larrazolo was in street clothes, but identified himself as a trooper when police approached. He had a gun.

Authorities recovered 26 kilograms of cocaine in the suitcases.

Court records indicate Larrazolo said — after his arrest — that he had been threatened into picking up the drugs.

Larrazolo joined DPS in 2002. He was a commercial vehicle enforcement officer in Cameron County.

It's not immediately clear if Larrazolo has an attorney.