Bad Driver Busted with 22 Pounds of Cocaine

Cops might never have known about the 22 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a Miami man’s blue gym bag had he not been pulled over on a routine traffic stop.

While the Collier County deputy that pulled Francisco Gato Jr., 62, over in Naples on Thursday let the infraction slide with just a warning, he became suspicious when Gato admitted to being arrested on fraud and drug charges in the past, NBC reports.

The deputy asked if Gato had any drugs in the car, but was told no.

A Collier County K-9, however, determined otherwise after it made a positive hit on the vehicle, the Naples Daily News reports.

All it took was a quick search for deputies to find a gym bag loaded down with 22 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $350,000.

Instead of being let go on that warning, Gato remained in the Collier County Jail in Naples without bond Friday, jail records indicate. Charges include trafficking in cocaine. A court appearance has been set for Sept. 22.

Photo Credit: Francisco Gato Jr./Collier County Sheriff’s Office