Route 59 traffic stop yields $1 million meth bust
BY BILL BIRD wbird@stmedianetwork.com October 24, 2012 7:10PM
Edgardo Rodriguez-Sanchez 20 Des Moines, Iowa
Updated: November 26, 2012 7:24AM
An accused drug smuggler who apparently drew the attention of Naperville police by texting while driving has been charged with transporting 19 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of nearly $1 million.
Jesus A. Rubio, 25, and his passenger, Edgardo Rodriguez-Sanchez, 20, both of Des Moines, Iowa, are being held in DuPage County Jail on $1 million bail.
They will stand trial on Super Class X felony charges of methamphetamine trafficking and the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance/200 grams or more of amphetamine, according to records on file in DuPage County Circuit Court. If convicted of both counts, they would face mandatory sentences of up to 120 years in prison.
“This is by far the largest methamphetamine bust we have ever had in DuPage County,” State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin said Wednesday. “While we don’t see a lot of methamphetamine, it is an extremely dangerous drug that we are constantly on the lookout for, as evidenced by these charges.”
Naperville police Cmdr. Brian Cunningham said a K-9 unit officer arrested Rodriguez-Sanchez and Rubio about 12:25 p.m. Tuesday while on routine patrol near North Aurora Road and Route 59.
Cunningham said the officer curbed the men’s pickup truck after observing several “suspicious indicators.” Paul Darrah, a spokesman for Berlin, added the officer followed the truck north from the intersection of Meridian Parkway and Route 59 after seeing Rubio commit “several traffic violations.”
In addition to the narcotics charges, Rubio was charged with operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device, or texting. He was also cited for having a window or windshield in defective condition and impairing the driver’s view, as well as following another vehicle too closely and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, according to records.
The officer, after curbing the truck, brought out his K-9 partner, Sabek, to examine its exterior. The dog’s reactions led the officer to conclude the pickup was carrying contraband.
“... The officer allegedly discovered 19 one-pound bags of methamphetamine hidden underneath a pile of shingles in the bed of the truck,” Darrah said. “In all, 9,847 grams of methamphetamine were recovered, with a street value of approximately $990,000.”
