Diesel Sniffs Out 100 Kilos of Cocaine

Elmhurst's police dog assisted the Illinois State Police this week in a drug bust in Stone Park that netted about 100 kilos of cocaine.

"Illinois State Police requested our police K-9, who is named Diesel, to assist them at the scene of a traffic stop at 3200 W. North Ave.," Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth said. "Diesel alerted the Elmhurst police handler to the presence of drugs."

As part of a crackdown on violence and organized drug crime, state narcotics agents partner with officers from local jurisdictions, according to a press release from the Illinois State Police.

The State Police Zone 1 Narcotics Interdiction Unit led to the arrest in Stone Park, according to the statement.

Agents received information regarding a suspicious maroon 2005 Toyota Tacoma truck headed east on North Avenue at 11:38 a.m. July 15. State police Chicago District troopers stopped the truck for a traffic violation, then called in Diesel, who sniffed out 100 kilos of cocaine that was in two rubber tubs in the truck bed, police said. Police also found about $15,000 in the truck.

The male driver was arrested and taken to the Northlake Police Department. Information on charges was not immediately available.

“These joint investigations are critical in our mission to combat organized crime across state lines and into the communities,” said ISP Field Operations Lt. Col. Terry Lemming in a prepared statement. “When we collectively pool our law enforcement resources with other law enforcement partners, we keep citizens, roads and communities safe."