A Russian national was busted hauling nearly 800 pounds of methamphetamine on a Louisiana interstate, which officials touted as “one of the largest” seizures in the state’s history.
Anton Vitalyevich Rakov was pulled over for a traffic stop in his 18-wheeler on I-12 in Denham Springs — about 20 miles outside Baton Rouge — on Tuesday, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
Rakov, whom officials described as a “deportable Russian national,” was arrested over his illegal status in the US, which led officials to search the semi-truck’s trailer and discover “approximately 358.14 kilos (789.56 lbs) of methamphetamine.”
“One of the LARGEST Methamphetamine Seizures in Livingston Parish (And, Louisiana),” Sheriff Jason Ard said.
Rakov was handed over to ICE and remains in custody, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities have not disclosed what initially prompted the traffic stop.
The Post has reached out to the department for further details.
Staggering photos released by the department illustrate the scale of the seizure, showing the large quantity of methamphetamine allegedly found in Rakov’s truck.
An investigator can be seen on scaffolding inspecting the roof of the semi-truck, with massive tinfoil-wrapped bricks containing the meth spread out on folding tables.
Another photo shows more of the packaged product in at least five large container bins alongside the deputy and K9 that made the bust.
A third photo shows Sheriff Ard standing next to a waist-high pyramid of tinfoil-wrapped bricks containing the meth.
While authorities stopped short of declaring it the largest meth seizure in state history, the bust far exceeds recent high-profile seizures.
In February, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office seized about 361 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at nearly $4 million, during a traffic stop, according to the Justice Department.
The suspects — Jostin Antonio Orellana-Romero, 22, a Honduran national, and Edenilson Alexander Castaneda-Del Valle, 18, a Salvadoran national — were both in the country illegally at the time of their arrest. Both men face a minimum of ten years and up to life in prison.
In March, a drug task force comprised of the DEA, FBI and Louisiana State Police seized approximately 325 pounds of narcotics hidden inside welded metal boxes concealed within ice cream freezers aboard an 18-wheeler, according to the Justice Department.
The suspects operating the truck, Ranulfo Garcia Rodriguez and Christian Antonio Sanchez Ramirez, were identified as Mexican nationals and arrested. Both men are also facing ten years to life in federal prison.
