DRAGSTER SEIZED IN METHAMPHETAMINE BUST

The race car is one of three vehicles seized during a west Wichita buy-bust
operation.

Undercover narcotics agents who set out to buy a pound of methamphetamine
this week came back with a bonus: a vintage Camaro with an airplane engine
and a parachute on the back.

Wichita police Capt. Dale Poe said the $100,000 dragster was one of three
vehicles seized by authorities during a buy-bust that took place this week
in west Wichita.

Poe said the agents had been targeting a suspected dealer -- identified as
Isidro M. Zazueta, 38 -- for several months before setting up the buy.

Police said Zazueta met the undercover officers in a parking lot in the 600
block of North West Street about 2 p.m. Tuesday. Poe said he pulled into
the lot in a Chevrolet Suburban that was towing the dragster inside a
trailer. Two men who accompanied Zazueta to the site also were arrested,
Poe said, and their Ford Thunderbird was seized. Poe said the three men
would be charged in U.S. District Court.

During the bust and follow-up investigation, Poe said, officers recovered a
pound of methamphetamine worth $30,000 to $50,000, and 13 pounds of
marijuana worth about $10,000.

If the vehicle seizures stand up in court, Poe said, the dragster probably
will be auctioned and the proceeds split between the Wichita Police
Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski