(CBS) – Illinois State Police have seized more than 12 pounds of heroin that were on the the way to Ohio through the Heroin Highway from Mexico.
Illinois State Police Cmdr. James Morrissey said troopers pulled over an SUV with Mexico license plates for a traffic violation Friday morning on Interstate 55, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
Troopers noticed something suspicious about the way the driver behaved, so they called in drug-sniffing dogs, which indicated there were drugs somewhere in the SUV.
“There was a hidden compartment near the engine compartment–around the air intake manifold,” Morrissey said.
The troopers found more than 5.5 kilograms (more than 12 pounds) of heroin in the hidden compartment, which had a “fairly sophisticated design,” according to Morrissey.
The heroin had been bound for Columbus, Ohio, and had a street value of as much as $250,000.
The driver of the SUV, 46-year old Rodolfo Hernandez-Flores of Mexico, was charged with possession of heroin with intent to deliver.
State troopers intercepted 5.5 kilos (more than 12 pounds) of heroin after making a traffic stop on I-55 east of St. Louis. The drugs were headed to Ohio. (Credit: Illinois State Police)
