Two Canadian men were arrested when cops found over half a ton of cocaine in their tractor-trailer.
The Illinois State Police Blackhawk Area Task Force recently arrested 27-year-old Vanshpreet Singh from Ontario, Canada, and 36-year-old Manpreet Singh from Ontario, Canada, for possession of cocaine (Class X Felony), possession with intent to deliver cocaine (Class X Felony), and cocaine trafficking (Class X Felony).
On Nov. 29, at about 2:10 p.m., an ISP trooper conducted a commercial motor vehicle inspection on a tractor-trailer on Interstate 80 eastbound in Henry County, which is located in western Illinois. During the inspection, the trooper observed numerous indicators of criminal activity. A subsequent search revealed the suspected cocaine.
The total approximate weight of the cocaine was 1,146 pounds. It has an approximate street value of more than $40 million dollars, according to the state police.
“ISP’s coordinated focus on trafficking is helping keep dangerous drugs out of our communities,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “From commercial motor vehicle inspections, to daily patrol, to targeted anti-violence and trafficking details, ISP is making communities safer.”
Vanshpreet Singh and Manpreet Signh were taken into custody and transported to the Henry County Jail pending a pre-trial release hearing. ISP notified Homeland Security Investigations, which responded and is providing assistance.
There is no further information available at this time.
The charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
