Law enforcement officers discovered more than 300 pounds of cocaine during a routine DOT compliance inspection west of Indianapolis.
At about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, an Indiana State Police trooper stopped a blue International semi tractor-trailer traveling eastbound on I-70 near the 41-mile marker. During the inspection, the trooper observed criminal indicators and deployed an ISP K-9, which gave a positive alert, leading to a probable cause search.
Troopers found 309 pounds of cocaine hidden in the sleeper berth of the truck.
The two occupants were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Putnam County Jail. Both face charges of dealing narcotics, a Level 2 felony, and ICE deportation holds were placed on each.
Police said the semi was traveling from Joplin, Mo., to Richmond, Ind.
ISP Superintendent Anthony Scott highlighted the role of full-time interdiction patrols in keeping illegal drugs off Indiana roadways and out of communities. The seizure was carried out by a trooper assigned to the Drug Enforcement Section.
The cocaine has an estimated street value of $7 million.
Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Fresno, Calif., and Jasveer Singh, 30, of Santa Clara, Calif., were arrested and charged with dealing narcotics.