Police find 37 pounds of cocaine during Pa. turnpike traffic stop
Pennsylvania State Police arrested a Florida man Wednesday after discovering more than 37 pounds of suspected cocaine inside a hidden compartment in his vehicle.
Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Explorer traveling near mile marker 83 on the turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township. Police identified the driver as Miguel Ramirez Rodriguez of Orlando, according to court records.
During the traffic stop, troopers became suspicious of possible criminal activity and requested consent to search Ramirez Rodriguez’s vehicle. He consented to the search and troopers noticed an aftermarket electronic hidden compartment in the center console of the vehicle, according to a statement from Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli.
Inside of the compartment, troopers discovered more than 37 pounds of suspected cocaine and a pistol. Ramirez Rodriguez is not permitted to carry a firearm because he has previous convictions in the state of Florida.
He was unable to post bail and taken to the Westmoreland County Prison.
A July 30 preliminary hearing is scheduled in District Judge Charles Moore’s East Huntingdon court.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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