Lincolnshire, IL – A routine traffic stop near I-94 and Route 22 on Monday evening led to the discovery of a significant drug haul, authorities said. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), a task force funded through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, made the arrests.
At approximately 6:20 p.m., Deputy Dwight Arrowood and his K9 partner, Duke, performed a ‘free-air sniff’ around a vehicle. Duke alerted officers to the scent of narcotics. A subsequent search uncovered approximately 578.5 grams of powder cocaine hidden in the vehicle.
The vehicle’s driver, Melissa M. Coquillard, 33, of Hampshire, Illinois, and passenger, Martin Gonzalez, 36, of South Elgin, Illinois, were taken into custody.
According to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Coquillard faces charges including unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony, as well as speeding. Gonzalez faces similar felony charges.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg praised the operation, stating, “This case highlights our commitment to stopping dangerous drugs from reaching our communities. I commend our deputies and SIG team for their excellent work.”
Both suspects remained in custody awaiting a detention hearing on Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors have filed petitions to keep them detained during court proceedings.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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