TRAFFIC STOP YIELDS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR COCAINE BUST
Tuesday, September 14, 2010— Bond has been set at $1,000,000.00 each for two men caught with 50 kilograms of cocaine in the trunk of their car, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Tuesday.
Jose Ramirez-Rodriguez, 23, of the 1300 block of Pershing Road in Wheaton has been charged with manufacturing/delivery of more than 900 grams of cocaine; possession of more than 900 grams of cocaine; driving the wrong way on a highway; driving without a license; and operating a motor vehicle without a license. His passenger and co-conspirator, Efrain Rodriguez-Juarez, 32, of the 1400 block of Walnut Circle in Carol Stream has been charged with manufacture/delivery of more than 900 grams of cocaine and possession of more than 900 grams of cocaine. Both men are charged with Class X felonies that carry up to 30 years in prison.
On September 11th at around 8 p.m. Cook County Sheriff’s Gang Unit officers spotted Ramirez-Rodriguez’ Toyota Camry facing the wrong direction on Maybrook Drive, in the oncoming traffic lane from 1st Avenue, in Maywood. Maybrook Drive is the road that leads to the Cook County Sheriff’s Police headquarters. Officers pulled Ramirez-Rodriguez over and he could not produce a driver’s license. Both men appeared nervous, and gave officers conflicting information as they were being questioned. Officers also noticed the two men had a statue of Jesus Malverdes – the “patron saint” of drug traffickers – placed on the center console.
Upon inspection of the vehicle, 50 kilos of cocaine discovered in the trunk of the car have an estimated street value of $19,350,000.
The next court date for both men is October 5, 2010 in Maywood.