154 pounds of cocaine found by state troopers during traffic stop
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Troopers pulled over a semi on I-70 east of Post Road on Friday around 2:30 p.m. for failing to signal a lane change, according to Indiana State Police.
Troopers began to pick up on indications of potential criminal activity while talking to the driver of the semi and checking the required paperwork, according to police.
The primary trooper called for a K9's assistance and State Police K9 Cole arrived with his handler.
Cole conducted an open-air sniff around the semi and notified his handler to the presence of narcotics.
Troopers then searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered around 70 kilograms (154 pounds) of suspected cocaine inside the sleeper-birth of the semi, according to police.
Official field testing of the suspected substance confirmed it to be cocaine.
The Indiana State Police Drug Investigations Section estimates that the value of the cocaine is around $2.8 million.
The driver, 43-year-old Onkar Singh from California, was arrested on drug charges and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Indiana State Police Indianapolis District Commander, Lieutenant Josh Watson commented on the significance of the drug seizure.
"This significant drug seizure is a result of sustained and persistent efforts by troopers assigned to our drug enforcement section. They spend countless hours patrolling our highways and diligently utilizing their specialized training and experience to intercept and seize illegal narcotics being transported in and through Indiana."