August 14, 2007 Lucas County, Ohio
Missouri Trooper finds 12 pounds of heroin during a traffic stop on I-44

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 5 kilos of heroin, valued at $2 million, during a traffic stop yesterday on the Ohio Turnpike in Lucas County. The suspect will be arraigned today in Maumee Municipal Court on felony charges associated with the case.

The driver, Jose Ado Gerardo Corona-Rodriguez, 37, of Mexico, was charged with drug abuse and trafficking in drugs, both first-degree felonies. He was also charged with possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.

A trooper stopped the 2000 Dodge Ram with California registration for a following too close violation eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 57 in Springfield Township, Lucas County at 10:27 a.m. yesterday. An Ohio State Highway Patrol drug-detection canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 5 kilos of heroin.

The suspect was incarcerated in the Lucas County Jail. The vehicle is pending state forfeiture. If convicted, the suspect could face up to 21 years in prison and up to a $42,500 fine.

Through June of 2007, the Patrol has seized more than 1.2 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at $30.1 million. In 2006, the Patrol seized more than 4.9 million grams (11,000 lbs.) of illegal narcotics, valued at nearly $55 million.


Source: Ohio State Highway Patrol