Illinois State Police Find 70 Pounds of Cocaine in Minivan

The Illinois State Police say that illegal drugs worth about $2 million were seized during a Dec. 17 traffic stop in Chicago. The vehicle stop was conducted as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation according to the ISP. A 33-year-old Brighton Park man was taken into custody at the scene in connection with the seized drugs. He is facing Class X felony drug charges and his bond has been set at $2.5 million.

The sequence of events began when ISP officers observed a semi-tractor trailer exit Interstate 55 at Kingery Highway and make its way to an auto repair facility that appeared to be closed. A black minivan arrived at the scene a few hours later according to the ISP. Officers say that a man got out of the minivan and went inside the seemingly closed mechanics shop. He is said to have reappeared a short time later with unidentified objects in his hands. Police say that they then saw the man load the items into the minivan.

The ISP officers conducted a traffic stop and vehicle search based on what they had observed. They say that they found approximately 70 pounds of cocaine inside the van wrapped in brick-sized packages secured with duct tape.

Experienced criminal defense attorneys would likely advise individuals who find themselves in situations like this to cooperate with law enforcement but say nothing before speaking with a lawyer. Evidence uncovered during warrantless searches does not always withstand judicial scrutiny, and prosecutors may offer those charged with serious drug offenses reduced sentences in return for useful information.

Source: WQAD, Chicago Police seize 70 kilos in cocaine bust, Brody Wooddell, Dec. 18, 2018Source: The Chicago Sun-Times, Brighton Park man caught with 70 kilos of cocaine, prosecutors say, David Struett, Dec. 18, 2018