Madison County, Ohio – A routine traffic stop on Interstate 70 led to the discovery of a significant amount of cocaine and the subsequent arrest of a 27-year-old woman by troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. on March 22, 2024, when troopers pulled over a rented box truck with out-of-state registration. The vehicle had been observed making unsafe lane changes, following too closely behind another vehicle, and failing to use headlights during rainy conditions.
Upon interaction with the driver, identified as 27-year-old Andrea Celaya of Tucson, Arizona, troopers noted her high level of nervousness and received an unusual travel story. Suspicions were further raised when possible criminal items were spotted inside the truck. A drug-sniffing canine was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the truck led to the discovery of 110 pounds of cocaine, packaged into 50 individual parcels, with an estimated street value of $1.75 million.
Celaya was promptly taken into custody and is currently held at the Franklin County Jail. She faces two first-degree felony charges – trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs. If convicted, Celaya could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison along with a fine of up to $50,000.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol commended the troopers involved for their vigilance and thorough investigation, which led to the successful seizure of the illicit drugs. The agency reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking and keeping Ohio’s highways safe from criminal activities.
