Traffic stop leads to discovery of 6 kilograms of fentanyl

CROWN CENTER, Ind. (WTWO/WISH) — About 59,000 doses of fentanyl were taken off the streets following what started out as a routine traffic stop on Interstate 70.

Shortly before 11 a.m. Friday, an Indiana State Police trooper in Morgan County observed a pickup truck following too close and traveling at a reduced speed in the left passing lane of I-70 near the 53-mile marker, about 2 miles east of the Little Point exit. 

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Christian Paz Recarte, 29, of Los Angeles. The vehicle also had three passengers. 

During a search of the vehicle, the trooper discovered 6 kilograms of fentanyl. The estimated street value of the fentanyl is $450,000. 

It is estimated that this seizure removed about 59,000 doses of this potentially lethal drug from the streets. The drugs were coming from California and destined for Ohio.

Recarte was charged with possession of narcotics and dealing a narcotic drug.

Also arrested for possession and dealing were Katherine Navarro, 22; Hugo Rosales Moreno, 45; and Kelin Morales Martinez, 29. All of them are from Los Angeles.