Round Lake Beach man denies having cocaine

A Round Lake Beach man who police said was carrying an ounce of cocaine in his car pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Juan Contreras, 35, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.

Assistant State’s Attorney Rod Drobinski said Contreras, of the 600 block of Silver Leaf Lane, was driving his 2007 Chevrolet Impala near the intersection of Lotus Drive and Rollins Road around 4:30 p.m. on April 17.

A Round Lake Beach police officer stopped Contreras’ car because it had dark tinted windows on the driver’s and front seat passenger’s side, Drobinski said.

The officer said Contreras acted distracted and nervous during the stop so he called a drug-detecting dog to the scene to inspect the car.

The dog indicated there was contraband between the center console and the driver’s seat, Drobinski said, and the officer discovered a paper bag with an ounce of cocaine inside.

The cocaine is worth approximately $1,500 on the street, Drobinski said.

In addition to the criminal charge against Contreras, Drobinski said the state has filed to seize the Impala as a result of the arrest.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial of the case for July 18 and ordered Contreras to appear in court June 28.