COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two men were in the Franklin County Jail this morning, facing possible life sentences, after State Highway Patrol troopers seized more than $2 million worth of cocaine from a tractor-trailer during a traffic stop in central Ohio.
Troopers report seizing nearly 53 pounds of cocaine concealed in a false wall of a semi-trailer which they had pulled over for a turn signal violation on I-70 in Madison County Monday afternoon. A drug-sniffing dog alerted them to the drugs.
The patrol says Abraham Martinez, 48 of Monrovia, Calif., and Alfredo Ramos, 49, of Marshalltown, Iowa, were each arrested on a federal charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Ramos’ attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Martinez’ attorney said he had just received the case and had no immediate comment.
If convicted, each man could face up to life in prison.
This seizure is the largest of three busts publicized by the patrol within the last two weeks. Troopers seized 20 pounds of marijuana on Sept. 18 in Erie County and 42 pounds of cocaine and two pounds of black tar heroin on Sept. 23 in Wood County.