Alhambra police K9 Otis helps seize 440 pounds of cocaine from SUV

Alhambra Police Department stopped an SUV on Valley Boulevard near the 710 Freeway on Oct. 3, 2026, and a K‑9 named Otis led officers to approximately 200 kilograms (about 440 pounds) of suspected cocaine packed inside cardboard boxes.

The seizure, one of the larger drug interdictions in the Los Angeles suburbs in recent months, underscores the continuing value of police K‑9 units in detecting illicit narcotics during routine traffic stops.

Authorities identified the driver as Julio Rangel of Huntington Park. While the department did not disclose the original reason for the stop, officers noted the vehicle was carrying an unusually large number of cardboard boxes, prompting further suspicion.

Rangel offered two conflicting explanations for the cargo. He first told officers the boxes were not his and that he was returning home from his cousin’s house. He later changed his story, claiming the boxes contained diesel parts he was delivering to a friend’s shop.

When K‑9 Otis was released, the German shepherd went on drug alert, providing probable cause for a search without a warrant. A subsequent sweep of the SUV uncovered roughly 200 kilos of cocaine, police said.

Rangel was arrested and booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail. Police have not released specific charges, but the department estimated the street value of the haul at around eight million dollars.

The department highlighted Otis as the “good boy” of the operation, posting a celebratory message on its Facebook page and urging a “round of a‑paws” for the canine. Otis will remain on duty as the department continues to rely on its K‑9 unit for community safety.