Skip to main content

Troopers reportedly seize $1.75M worth of cocaine during traffic stop in central Ohio 

By
Ohio State Highway Patrol, Press Release

Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol filed two felony charges against a 27-year-old woman after she was allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine during a traffic stop in Madison County. 

Around 1:30 p.m. on March 22, Troopers stopped a rented box truck, with out-of-state registration, traveling east on Interstate 70 for allegedly executing an unsafe lane change, following too closely to the vehicle ahead of it and for not using headlights while driving in the rain.  

While troopers were interacting with the driver, she allegedly exhibited a high level of nervous behavior, provided an unusual travel story and they observed possible criminal items in the truck. 

A drug-sniffing canine also alerted to the vehicle, and during a search, troopers allegedly located 110 pounds of cocaine, wrapped in 50 individual packages, worth an estimated $1.75 million. 

The suspect, 27-year-old Andrea I. Celaya Rodriguez, of Tucson, Ariz., was taken into custody and was charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs, both of which are first-degree felonies. If convicted, Rodriguez could face up to 25 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.