Louisiana authorities seize nearly 800 pounds of methamphetamine

A Russian national, Anton Vitalyevich Rakov, was arrested in Louisiana following the seizure of approximately 358.14 kilograms (nearly 800 pounds) of methamphetamine. The bust occurred on Tuesday during a traffic stop of an 18-wheeler on Interstate 12 in Denham Springs, located about 20 miles outside of Baton Rouge.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that the search of the semi-truck’s trailer was prompted by Rakov’s arrest regarding his illegal status in the United States. A K9 unit assisted in discovering the drugs, which were found packaged in tinfoil-wrapped bricks. Sheriff Jason Ard described the event as “one of the largest” methamphetamine seizures in the history of Livingston Parish and the state of Louisiana.

Rakov, described by officials as a “deportable Russian national,” has been handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and remains in custody.