Drywall Rather Than Drugs So Drug Trafficking Case Dismissed

Charges in a 2019 Effingham County drug trafficking case were dismissed Thursday after it was learned the substance involved was not a controlled substance.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Class X felony counts against Rolando Diaz Taracena were dismissed after the State Police Crime Lab determined the substance seized was likely drywall compound.

Diaz Taracena instead pleaded guilty to speeding, which was what motivated police to make the stop. The arrest was made in the early morning hours in March of 2019.

The substance was initially believed to be cocaine valued at $95,000.