(La Porte County, IN) - A man was caught transporting large amounts of cocaine in La Porte County. 38-year old Gustavo Plascencia is being held in the La Porte County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

 

According to court documents, a La Porte County Police officer stopped the suspect's vehicle last week on the Indiana Toll Road outside La Porte. The officer approached the car and was hit by a strong odor of marijuana. Suspicions were further raised by Plascencia sweating heavily despite it being eight degrees outside. 

 

Police said a quarter ounce of marijuana was first recovered from the vehicle. However, a much more considerable amount of cocaine was allegedly found concealed behind two pieces of foam and a suitcase after the trunk lid was opened. The cocaine was in the form of two bricks weighing just over two pounds apiece.

 

More than $4,000 in cash in a sizeable rubber-banded bundle was also confiscated.

 

According to court documents, Plascencia told the officer he was driving back to California from Philadelphia, and the officer couldn't prove the drugs belonged to him. Plascencia said the drugs could have already been in the rent-a-car he was driving before he drove off in the vehicle, according to police. 

 

If convicted, Plascencia could face as much as a 30-year prison sentence.