Canadian man facing drug charges seeks passport's return

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) - A Canadian man who allegedly had 127 pounds of cocaine hidden inside his vehicle wants northwestern Indiana authorities to return his passport.

A Porter County judge ordered Hobart police Monday to return all of Denis Mesumb's belongings, except for his Canadian passport, and set a Wednesday hearing to consider its release.

Mesumb's defense attorney sought to have all of Mesumb's belongings returned to the 43-year-old Toronto man, who faces cocaine dealing and possession charges.

County Prosecutor Gary Germann opposes the passport's releasing, saying he's concerned about the difficulties of extraditing Mesumb to the U.S. from Canada should he not return to Indiana for his court dates.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports that Mesumb was arrested March 15 along Interstate 94 after the cocaine was allegedly found beneath his vehicle's floorboard.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.nwitimes.com