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COLUMBUS – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers filed felony drug charges against an Illinois man after a traffic stop in Wood County. During the traffic stop, troopers seized more than 4 pounds of suspected fentanyl worth approximately $60,000.
On November 3, at 10:05 a.m., troopers stopped a 2012 Toyota Rav4 with Illinois registration for a following too close violation on the Ohio Turnpike. Criminal indicators were observed and a consent search was asked for and granted. During the consent to search, troopers located an aftermarket modification that was determined to be a hidden compartment which revealed the contraband.
The driver, Guillermo Moreno, 39, Chicago, was incarcerated in the Wood County Justice Center and charged with possession and trafficking in fentanyl, both first-degree felonies, and operating a vehicle with a hidden compartment, a fourth-degree felony.
In 2012, Senate Bill 305 was passed, prohibited designing, building, constructing, fabricating, modifying, or altering a vehicle to create or add a hidden compartment with the intent to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance. It also prohibits operating, possessing, or using a vehicle with a hidden compartment with knowledge that the hidden compartment is used or intended to be used to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance, and prohibits a person who has committed a first or second degree felony violation of aggravated trafficking in drugs from operating, possessing, or using a vehicle with a hidden compartment.
If convicted, he could face up to 23 and a half years in prison and up to a $45,000 fine.
A photo of the seized contraband is available for download on the Patrol’s website at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov
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20-066
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