(Michigan City, IN) - Two men suspected of transporting a large amount of drugs through La Porte County have posted bond.

 

Abdusalam Yusef and Rabi Abrahim, both from Minnesota, have each been charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 2 felony Dealing in a Narcotic Drug.

 

On November 2nd, the men were in a rent-a-car and stopped by an officer for tailgating on Interstate 94 in the Michigan City area. The profusely sweating driver and passenger denied a request from the officer to search the vehicle. However, a positive alert from a K-9 dog to the potential presence of drugs gave police probable cause to search through the car, according to court documents. 

 

There, reportedly 17 pounds of KHAT were found in the trunk of the vehicle and passenger compartment. According to drug experts, KHAT comes from a flowery plant native to Africa and produces a sensation similar to cocaine and methamphetamine.

 

Official investigation shows the men rented the car in Minnesota and were heading to the Detroit area with the drugs.

 

Bond was set at $50,000 for both men, who each could face anywhere from a 10 to 30-year sentence. They later posted bail when their bonds were reduced to $5,000.