Drugs, Cash Found in Vehicle Stop

Drugs and cash were recovered during a vehicle stop along the interstate Tuesday.

District 12 Illinois State Police say they were conducting a special traffic enforcement patrol in Fayette County along I-57 southbound, a mile north of Farina at 1:40am.  Police say a car was observed speeding and failing to signal when required and stopped the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed about 8.5 pounds of cannabis inside a cardboard box in the trunk of the vehicle.  US currency totaling $6,070 was also seized from the vehicle's occupants.

District 12 State Police Commander Captain Kelly Hodge said, "This seizure is an example of how routine traffic patrols can uncover criminal activity."  The Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.

40-year-old Ricky T. Pham of Germantown, Tennessee and 41-year-old Hieu D. Nguyen of Memphis, Tennessee were arrested on charges of calculated criminal cannabis conspiracy and manufacture or delivery of cannabis.

The special enforcement patrols are funded by IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety.