EFFINGHAM, IL – An Illinois State Police trooper patrolling Interstate 70 east of Vandalia discovered 6 pounds (2,745 grams) of heroin during a traffic stop. The street value of the seized heroin was approximately $960,000.00.
On Sunday, October 8, 2017, at approximately 8:10 a.m., an ISP trooper initiated a traffic stop on a gray Dodge Caravan for speeding. During the traffic stop, approximately 6 pounds of heroin was discovered.
The driver, Juan Contreras-Ibarra, 37, of Garden Grove, CA, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Controlled Substance Trafficking and warned for speeding. Mr. Contreras-Ibarra was incarcerated at the Fayette County Jail. The Fayette County State’s Attorney and Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.
“The Illinois State Police is committed to battling the state and national opioid abuse epidemic and we will continue our efforts to rid our communities of this harmful substance,” said ISP District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt.
The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.