A former professional soccer player from Mexico was arrested last week near Gurnee following a traffic stop where police recovered a large amount of cocaine.
Luis A. Sandoval-Oliva, 39, of the 500 block of Carriage Drive in West Chicago, was charged with manufacturing/delivering more than 900 grams of cocaine, unlawful possession of cocaine, driving while license suspended and no insurance.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Sandoval-Oliva’s vehicle on February 2 as it traveled westbound Interstate 94 south of Grand Avenue in Gurnee.
The deputy pulled Sandoval-Oliva over because he was following the car in front of him too closely, according to Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Lt. Christopher Covelli.
The deputy spoke with Sandoval-Oliva, who was driving with a suspended driver’s license and did not have insurance.
Covelli said that Lake County Sheriff’s Office Canine Duke arrived on the scene and conducted a sniff around the vehicle. Duke gave a positive indication that drugs were in the car.
Deputies searched the vehicle and found Sandoval-Oliva in possession of approximately one kilogram — 2.2 pounds — of cocaine. He was arrested and transported to the Lake County jail.
Sandoval-Oliva, known as “El Nego,” began a professional career with Chivas Guadalajara in 2002 before playing for several different soccer teams until 2014 when he retired. During his career, he also played for the Mexico national team.
In 2016, he signed a three-year contract to play with the Chicago Mustangs of the Major Arena Soccer League.
A judge set Sandoval-Oliva’s bond at $50,000. He posted $5,000 cash on February 3 and was released from custody.
Sandoval-Oliva is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday.