Will County, IL – A routine traffic stop on Interstate 55 in Will County led to a major narcotics seizure Saturday morning, according to authorities.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies pulled over a red Ford Econoline van traveling northbound on I-55 near Reed Road around 7:30 a.m. on September 20, 2025. During the stop, the driver, identified as 48-year-old Jose David Rodarte-Garcia, allegedly made statements that raised suspicions of drug activity.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Rodarte-Garcia consented to a vehicle search. K9 Edo, working alongside Deputy Doyle, conducted a perimeter sniff and alerted to the possible presence of narcotics. Deputies then discovered more than 15 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a hidden compartment inside the van.
Rodarte-Garcia was taken into custody and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility. He has been charged with multiple felonies, including possession with intent to deliver, controlled substance trafficking using a cellular device, and controlled substance trafficking.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office said the case remains under investigation in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. No additional information about possible accomplices or distribution networks has been released.
Residents in Will County are encouraged to report suspicious activity along major highways as law enforcement continues efforts to curb narcotics trafficking across the region.
