Published Thursday, August 29, 2002
A federal grand jury has indicted one of two men arrested Sunday after state police found about 44 pounds of cocaine in their van, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh.
Edward F. Caraballo, 25, of North Hollywood, Calif., was indicted Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession of more than five kilograms of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The van was eastbound on Interstate 80 at 11:30 a.m. in Pine Township when Trooper Richard W. Houk stopped it, police said.
Houk found a hidden electronic compartment when he looked under the van, and police obtained a search warrant to open it after a drug-sniffing dog indicated a "hit," police said.
The cocaine, valued at about $500,000, was destined for New York, police said.
A second man, Gilberto C. Soto of Sun Valley, also was arrested and placed in federal custody, police said.
If convicted of both charges, Caraballo could be jailed for 10 years to life and fined $4 million.
The federal Drug Enforcement Agency also investigated the case.