Hundreds of thousands of dollars in methamphetamine was found in an I-70 traffic stop.
Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement (PACE) is a multi-jurisdiction law enforcement criminal interdiction task force consisting of sheriff’s deputies from the Henry County Sheriff's Department and the Hancock County Sheriff's Department.
On Thursday at 11:00 am deputies with the PACE Team conducted a traffic stop of a 2022 Jeep Latitude along eastbound I-70 in Henry County for following too closely and speeding violations. During the course of the traffic stop, while standing outside of vehicle speaking with driver, deputies observed a vacuum sealed package containing a small amount of marijuana in plain view, in the passenger compartment.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and deputies located a locked large red colored suitcase in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Deputies then utilized a pry tool to open the suitcase after the driver refused to provide the combination. Deputies opened the suitcase and found what was later determined to be 50 vacuumed sealed packages each containing approximately one pound of suspected crystal methamphetamine. The current street value of the drugs is estimated to be in excess of $200,000.
Deputies then arrested without incident the driver of the vehicle, Courtney M. Kinard, 33, of Normal, IL on one count of Felony 2 dealing in methamphetamine and one count of possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.
