OGLESBY, IL – A Mexican man was arrested on Saturday after a traffic stop conducted by the Trident Agents and the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office led to the alleged discovery of over 7,000 purported fentanyl pills.
Jovanny Castaneda, 30, of Durango, Mexico, with a previous address in Prattsville, Alabama, was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver of more than 900 grams of a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class X Felony.
The street value of the fentanyl pills is estimated to be around $35,000. Castaneda’s bond was set at $2,000,000 with 10% to apply. Additional charges may follow pending the results from the Illinois State Police Crime Lab.
According to a press release from the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office released Wednesday, the traffic stop occurred on northbound Interstate 39 near Oglesby, IL. A K-9 indicated on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Approximately 8,000 grams of purported cocaine, with a street value of $256,000, and 7,000 purported fentanyl pills, with an approximate street value of $35,000, were found in a hidden compartment “trap” within the vehicle.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. It is responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in the United States. The discovery of the large quantity of fentanyl pills is concerning for law enforcement officials, who fear that the pills could have been sold on the street and caused harm to many people.
Castaneda is currently being held in the LaSalle County Jail. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
