$2 million worth of marijuana found in tanker truck near Zapata

A truck driver is behind bars after authorities allegedly found more than $2 million dollars worth of marijuana inside his tanker truck.

Zapata County Sheriff TMs Office deputies arrested Jose Reyes Villanueva III on felony drug charges on Thursday night.

Investigators told Action 4 News that a deputy pulled over Villanueva TMs tanker truck on U.S. Highway 83 just north of Ramireo.

A deputy stopped the 18-wheeler for disregarding a no passing zone.

Authorities searched the tanker and allegedly found 294 bundles with 5,019 pounds of marijuana worth $2 million dollars inside.

Deputies charged Villanueva with first-degree felony possession of marijuana.

Villanueva appeared before Zapata County Justice of the Peace Juana Maria Gutierrez where he was issued a $500,000 dollar bond.