Troopers seize cocaine worth $500K during McLean County traffic stop

Posted on February 28, 2019

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – For the second straight week, Illinois State Police have seized a large amount of ready-for-sale cocaine in McLean County.

Troopers said they stopped a car for a traffic violation Wednesday on Interstate 74 near Carlock and found five kilos of cocaine That amounts to about 12 pounds with an estimated street value of $500,000, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Horve, who prosecutes local drug cases.

The driver, Carlos Borge, 60, of West Valley, Utah is charged in McLean County Court with controlled substance trafficking and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver.

The trafficking charge is a “Super X” felony carrying up to 120 years in prison if he’s convicted.

Horve said the cocaine was vacuumed-sealed, ready-for-sale, and stacked like bricks.

Associate Judge Scott Kording set bail at $200,000, and Borge will have to post the full amount to be released.

Only last Thursday, State Police arrested two California men on Interstate 55 near Towanda for allegedly carrying 110 pounds of ready-for-sale cocaine in a semi, with a street value of $5 million. It’s the considered McLean County’s third largest cocaine seizure.

Prosecutor Horve said “a lot of weight” has been taken off the streets lately thanks to the work of law enforcement.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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