An Ohio gym owner has been charged with possession of drugs and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
Epolito Rodriguez, 33, owner of Power Up in Fostoria, Ohio (about 40 miles south of Toledo), has been charged in federal court as part of a drug trafficking investigation. Here’s what to know.
Fostoria gym owner charged in drug trafficking investigation
More than 90 pounds of drugs were found, according to WTOL11. Investigators said that they seized over 40 kilograms of cocaine and more than $800,000 in cash during the investigation.
Rodriguez was arrested on Feb. 25 and was booked into the Lucas County jail. He remains in custody.
Authorities conducted electronic surveillance on Rodriguez on Feb. 16, according to WTOL. A semi truck was also seen nearby. Later that day, authorities conducted a traffic stop of the truck and found more than $665,000 in cash hidden in the cabin.
On Feb. 19, investigators executed warrants on Power Up and Rodriguez’s residence. They found roughly 42 kilograms of suspected cocaine and $13,000 in cash at Power Up and discovered over $139,000 in cash at the residence, WTOL reports.
Rodriguez is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
This Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio State Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: $800,000, 90 pounds of drugs, and an Ohio gym owner charged in US court
Reporting by Mariyam Muhammad, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
