Feb. 01--Police confiscated 119 pounds of cocaine valued at almost $7 million after arresting a man in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood Friday afternoon.
Juan Roberto Vazquez, 28, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail on Saturday in Cook County court.
Police observed Vazquez during a narcotics investigation receiving suitcases from unknown individuals, according to a police report.
When Vazquez was stopped Friday in the 1500 block of North Kevdale for a traffic violation, police noticed an "overwhelming scent of air fresheners from the interior of the vehicle," according to a police report.
A police dog was called to the scene and alerted authorities to narcotics. Suitcases containing 90 brick-shaped objects containing cocaine -- about 54,000 grams or 119 pounds -- were found, according to a police report.
Vazquez, who police said lived in the 4500 block of South Christiana Avenue, is scheduled to be in court again on Feb. 17. He has no criminal background, according to Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Robinson.
In court Saturday, a public defender said Vazquez was visiting the U.S. from Mexico.
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