Fentanyl, Crack, Weed Seized In Traffic Stop On I-88: Cops

NAPERVILLE, IL — Fentanyl, cocaine, crack-cocaine, pot and $5,000 in cash were found beneath the floorboards of a car during a traffic stop on I-88 near Route 59 Wednesday, police say. A Melrose Park man was charged with several felonies in connection with the incident, one of the first major arrests made by a joint task force between the DuPage and Kane County Sheriff's Offices to fight opioids.

Jose R. Valdez, 44, was charged with delivery of cocaine over 1,000 grams, delivery of fentanyl between 15 and 100 grams, delivery of cannabis from 500 to 2,000 grams, possession of cannabis and installing a false compartment to transport controlled substances.

Police say they stopped Valdez on I-88 around 1 p.m. after observing "several traffic violations," a news release said. A detective reported that they observed "indicators of criminal activity" which they felt justified a search of the vehicle.

During the search, police say they found two hidden compartments beneath the driver's and passenger's side seats of Valdez's car. Valdez is accused of hiding the following items beneath his seats:

• 37.23 grams of fentanyl
• 170.51 grams of crack-cocaine
• 6.27 pounds of cocaine
• 1.49 pounds of cannabis
• $5,000 in cash

The arrest comes less than a month after the DuPage and Kane County Sheriff's Offices signed an agreement to consolidate resources and efforts to target opioid dealers throughout both counties.

In an email, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain remarked that the 37.23 grams of fentanyl seized is an "extremely dangerous amount." Per the news release, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick joined Hain in crediting the task force and their ongoing partnership for the arrest.

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