A Texas man was arrested after Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Duke found over two kilograms of cocaine in a car during a traffic stop in Waukegan, police said.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Greenwood Avenue at the Amstutz Expressway in Waukegan around 1:15 p.m. Friday.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ari Briskman said the vehicle had committed a traffic violation.
During the traffic stop, Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Duke conducted a free-air sniff around the vehicle.
Duke indicated there was contraband inside the vehicle, Briskman said.
Sheriff’s deputies conducted a search of the vehicle based on Duke’s indication.
A bag was located on the floor ahead of the front passenger seat containing over two kilograms of cocaine, Briskman said.
The front seat passenger of the vehicle, Jorge Villareal-Flores, 47, of the 100 block of Eastridge Drive in Springtown, Texas, was arrested.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved charges of manufacturing or delivery of cocaine, a Class X felony, and possession of cocaine, a Class 1 felony.
“I am very proud of Canine Duke and his handler, Deputy Arrowood, for their efforts on this traffic stop,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“Our canine teams, and the entire Sheriff’s Office, will continue working tirelessly to seize dangerous drugs and weapons, while arresting those who possess them, to keep our communities safe,” Idleburg said.
Villareal-Flores is being held in the Lake County Jail on a $1 million bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court on July 19.