$2M in heroin seized in turnpike traffic stop

3/30/2010

The Ohio Highway Patrol seized five kilos of heroin valued at $2 million from an Illinois man on the Ohio Turnpike in Springfield Township, according to the post's general headquarters in Columbus.

Alejandro Murillo, 32, of Joliet, Ill., was arrested Monday morning during a traffic stop and charged with drug abuse and trafficking in drugs, both first-degree felonies, and forgery, a fifth-degree felony.

Troopers stopped a privately owned 1997 Ford Expedition with Pennsylvania registration for a speeding violation on the turnpike near Milepost 58 about 9:50 a.m., according to the patrol. It was towing a U-Haul trailer with a privately owned 1992 BMW with no registration. A patrol drug-sniffing dog then found drugs in the vehicle, troopers said.

Mr. Murillo is in the Lucas County jail pending arraignment Tuesday in Maumee Municipal Court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.