Whiteland police report seizure of roughly 159 kg of cocaine; investigation ongoing
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Summary
Police told the council they recovered about 159 kilograms of cocaine (reported street value cited at roughly $16 million) from a trailer in June; the drug evidence has been transferred to another agency for storage and testing, and destruction costs were estimated at about $2,000.
Whiteland police briefed the town council that officers responded to a suspicious trailer on June 17 and discovered approximately 159 kilograms (around 350 pounds) of cocaine inside boxes that were not part of the shipment manifest. The police chief said the seizure represents one of the largest such seizures the department can find public records for in the state.
According to the chief’s presentation, the drugs were transferred to a partner agency for secure storage while investigative and laboratory testing continued; federal authorities have also been involved in aspects of the investigation. The chief told the council the town will incur a cost—estimated at about $2,000—to destroy the seized narcotics once laboratory and forfeiture procedures are complete.
Councilors praised officers for the detection and subsequent investigative work and asked whether the town planned any sustained surge in patrols; the chief said the town’s location near multiple interstate corridors makes it a transit point for some illicit shipments but that the department continues routine operations and interagency coordination.
What’s next: the department will continue to coordinate with state and federal partners on ongoing investigations, laboratory testing and evidence disposition; the town will be notified of final disposition and any associated forfeiture actions.