Truck driver pleads not guilty to cocaine trafficking charges

A 51-year-old truck driver pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges of trafficking and transporting 452 pounds of cocaine.

Authorities said officers with a state and federal drug task force pulled over Gaston Danjou's big rig on Aug. 10 after it crossed into Nevada from California because it was being driven erratically.

The cocaine seized had a street value of more than $16 million, authorities said.

Danjou is at the Clark County Detention Center on $1 million bail.

According to his arrest report, Danjou acted nervously when he was questioned by the Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who pulled him over.

Danjou's truck was registered to him. He had a Canadian driver's license and plates from Quebec.

After doing a records check, the trooper decided not to issue Danjou a citation, the report said. The trooper kept questioning him, asking Danjou whether anything illegal was inside the truck.

"I then asked him if he had any marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin. To each he said no, but he was unable to maintain eye contact while doing so," the report said.

Danjou then agreed to let officers search his truck. A drug-sniffing dog discovered the cocaine in secret compartments in the truck's bed.

A trial date was set for Oct. 17 before District Judge Kathleen Delaney.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.