PIQUA – A Texas man will appear in the Eaton Municipal Court today after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 3 kilos of cocaine on Interstate 70 in Preble County yesterday.

Jose G. Garduno, 29, of Houston, Texas, was charged with trafficking of cocaine, a first-degree felony, and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.

Troopers stopped a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck, driven by Garduno, for a following too close violation eastbound on Interstate 70, near milepost 8, in Preble County at 1:23 p.m. yesterday.

A Patrol drug-detecting canine alerted to the vehicle and a probable cause search revealed 3 kilos of cocaine in the vehicle. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $300,000. During the course of the investigation, troopers learned Garduno was also wanted on an active felony warrant for trafficking of marijuana from Oklahoma.

Garduno was incarcerated at the Preble County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to 11 years in prison and up to a $22,500 fine.

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