WEST JEFFERSON – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers filed felony drug charges against a California man after a traffic stop in Madison County. During the traffic stop, troopers seized more than 4 pounds of heroin valued at approximately $800,000.
On September 28, 2018, at 1:15 p.m., troopers stopped a 2018 Kia Forte with Florida registration for a failure to signal a lane change violation on Interstate 70. Criminal indicators were observed and a Patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed the contraband.
The driver, Estaban Contreras, 20, of Oxnard, Calif., was incarcerated in the Tri-County Jail and charged with possession of heroin, a first-degree felony.
If convicted, he could face up to 11 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine.
Last year, troopers removed 163 pounds of heroin from Ohio’s roadways. For a complete list of drug arrests by county visit: http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/statistics/statdocs/Highlights/2018/Drugs.pdf