Woman arrested in landmark meth bust

OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FL--A traffic stop resulted in the largest crystal meth bust in Okeechobee County history, according to Sheriff Paul May.

On Monday, members of the Okeechobee County Narcotics Task Force conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of Highway 441 North after a driver failed to stop at a stop sign.

An 11-year-old narcotics detection canine named Widgen searched the vehicle and gave warning signs that the vehicle contained some type of illegal narcotic.

Officers found four hidden compartments inside the vehicle containing packages of methamphetamines wrapped in plastic, grease and carbon paper to disguise the odor.

Investigators say the total seizure was for 22.7 pounds (10,296.55 grams). The estimated street value for these drugs is $408,600.

Authorities took the vehicle's driver, Rafaela Huerta-Aranda, into custody. Her bond was set at $2 million dollars.

Sheriff Paul May said this amount of drugs would, "ruin many lives and probably cause death." May credits the task force for taking the drugs off the streets and said he hopes the people trafficking the drugs get the maximum sentence.