(La Porte County, IN) - More than two pounds of methamphetamine, worth tens of thousands of dollars, were recovered from a SUV passing through La Porte County on a trip from Los Angeles to New York City.

 

Most of the illicit substance found was contained in a safe located in the back of the motor vehicle.

 

 

Mark Taglianetti of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Sean Harman, 37, of Brooklyn, New York are both charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 2 Felony Dealing Methamphetamine and Level 4 Felony Possession of Methamphetamine.

 

Hallie Loetterle, 37, of Baldwin, New York is charged with Level 5 Felony Neglect of a Dependent and Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

 

According to court documents, they were in a Cadillac Escalade stopped for speeding and tailgating by La Porte County Police on the Indiana Toll Road just before 9 a.m. Sunday near Rolling Prairie. All three of the suspects showed signs of active drug usage, judging by the "classic" symptoms of glossy, bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils.

 

A K-9 unit at the scene, alerted to the possible presence of drugs, resulted in a search of the vehicle and discovery of a safe.

 

Police said officers, unable to obtain the combination to the safe inside the vehicle, pried the door open and found close to 900 grams of methamphetamine.

 

A much lesser amount of the drug was located in separate plastic baggies in different locations of the vehicle, as well as numerous used syringes and smoking devices recovered.

 

Per authorities, in the backseat of the vechile was the woman’s nine-year daughter, who was dangerously close to where some of the contraband was located. The child was turned over to the Indiana Department of Child Services until arrangements were made with family members to care for the girl.