$4.5M In Cocaine Seized In Preble County

Posted: 9:15 pm EDT September 11, 2009
Updated: 11:18 pm EDT September 11, 2009

PREBLE COUNTY, Ohio -- Ohio State Patrol troopers stopped a semi-trailer on Interstate 70 in Preble County Friday afternoon and said they uncovered $4.5 million in cocaine.

According to a release, troopers stopped a Freightliner tractor pulling a 1999 Dorsey trailer, both with Texas license plates, traveling eastbound on I-70 around 1:50 p.m. for lane violations.

The driver, Jose Antonio Dominguez Melendez, 43, and passenger Oscar Santos Ardueta, 34, had conflicting stories about picking up a load of lettuce in Salinas, Calif., the release stated.

The release stated because several criminal indicators were present, they called in a K-9 unit and conducted a search.

The vehicles were then taken to an off-loading site where troopers said they found 45 kilos, with a street value of $4.5 million, of cocaine concealed within loads of lettuce headed for New Jersey.

According to officials at the Preble County Jail, both men are being charged with possession of cocaine, criminal tools and marked lane violations.

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