Chicago cops seize $143M in cocaine

CHICAGO, Feb. 24 (UPI) - Police in Chicago have seized 2,500 pounds of
cocaine with a street value of $143 million in the largest cocaine bust in
city history.

A Chicago-area man, his nephew, a Texas man, and a New Mexico man were
arrested after the drug raid at an auto detailing shop in south suburban
Crestwood.

Also, 170 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $500, 000
also was found Tuesday at A&S Auto Detailing.

Bond was set at $6.2 million for Ruben Contreras, 24, of El Paso, Texas;
and Ira McDaniel, 22, of Albuquerque, N.M. Arthur Bell, 43, and his nephew
Wautese Bell, 24, haven't yet appeared in bond court.

The men are charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent
to deliver, and face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

Cmdr. Philip Cline said, ``This is definitely going to have an impact on
the availability of cocaine in Chicago.''

Until today's announcement, the largest drug seizure in Chicago history was
six years ago when about 1,600 pounds of cocaine was found.