Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov

*** For Immediate Release***

Date: December 15, 2011
Contact: Trooper Guy Gill #505
Phone: (253)606-1998
E-mail: Guy.Gill@wsp.wa.gov
Twitter: @wspd1pio

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Truck Inspection Leads to Cases of Illegal Alcohol and Cigarettes

On Wednesday afternoon a Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD) trooper located twenty cases (180 bottles) of illegal alcohol and 37 cartons (740 packs) of untaxed cigarettes on a traffic stop.

The trooper stopped a small two-axle truck on northbound I-5 near Lacey after observing numerous violations. Upon contact the driver stated he was just doing a favor for a friend by driving the truck. The trooper conducted a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection of the truck and discovered multiple out of service safety violations.

As part of the inspection the security of the load was checked. This truck had a closed box with a refrigeration unit in operation and the driver stated it was loaded with vegetables. He was further questioned on where the load came from and where it was going. The driver could not answer these simple questions to the satisfaction of the trooper and a closer inspection of the load showed a few boxes didn’t contain vegetables, they contained alcohol and cigarettes.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board responded with officers who checked every box in the load and confiscated the illegal items pending the completion of their investigation. The truck was placed out of service for the safety violations, and the driver is facing charges for illegal possession and transportation of an alcoholic beverage and cigarettes.

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