Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Charge

By Pam DeFiglio

Police stopped a black Cadillac Escalade June 8 around 5 p.m. northbound on River Road that was swerving. Police found an open can of beer in the front passenger cup and three open cans on the rear passenger side floor, police reports state.

Police said the driver, Francisco Portillo, had a suspended driver’s license. Police searched Portillo and his passengers Miguel Casas, Edgar Hernandez and Elizabeth Vargas, according to the report.

Police found a small blue rubber change purse on Vargas, which contained one clear plastic bag containing 9.2 grams of cocaine and nine smaller opaque plastic bags containing an unknown substance.

Police arrested the four and brought them to the Des Plaines Police Station. Police searched Vargas’ purse and found $533, which they recovered pending an asset forfeiture, police said.

Vargas was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and illegal transportation of alcohol. Her court date is June 24 at the Skokie branch of the Cook County courts.

Hernandez and Casas were charged with illegal transportation of alcohol by a passenger; Hernandez was also charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. Portillo was charged with driving while license suspended and failure to signal/right turn.