According to recent criminal charges, a vehicle engine was found to have over 35 pounds of cocaine hidden inside it during a traffic stop in Lakeville three years ago.
Last month, prosecutors in Dakota County pressed charges against Genoveva Perez Perez, a 52-year-old resident of Denver, Colorado, for two 1st-degree controlled substance offenses. The charges include one count of sale and another count of possession.
The criminal complaint disclosed that on June 11, 2021, two task forces were keeping an eye on the traffic entering Minnesota via Interstate-35. During their investigation, they discovered that a Chevrolet Silverado with Colorado license plates was under suspicion for drug trafficking.
While cruising on I-35, a trooper spotted the truck and carried out a traffic stop right after County Road 70 in Lakeville.
As per the allegations, the trooper initiated the stop after observing that the truck’s passenger-side tires had touched the fog line.
According to the complaint, the Trooper engaged in a conversation with [Perez Perez] regarding her travel itinerary. During their interaction, the Trooper observed potential signs of drug-related behavior from [Perez Perez] while she was seated inside the vehicle and even after being asked to step out.
The trooper cautioned Perez Perez about her driving behavior, inquired about drug-related matters, and subsequently obtained her approval to search her vehicle, according to the charges.
The complaint indicates that during the search of the truck, a K9 detected the presence of a controlled substance. Additionally, the two troopers who conducted the search suspected that the vehicle had a concealed compartment due to various indicators.
Upon towing the vehicle from the scene, a continued search was conducted revealing suspected controlled substances hidden within the engine.
The criminal complaint reveals that a trooper discovered a substance that tested positive for cocaine, weighing around 35 pounds or 15,934 grams.
If Perez Perez is found guilty of the felony-level charges in Minnesota, he could face severe consequences, such as up to 40 years in prison and a fine of $1 million per count.
The photo was shared by Minnesota State Patrol on their Facebook page.