United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Todd Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago Field Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois announced that two California men, David Dowling-Chacon, 41, and Luis Dukes-Acosta, 38, have been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

According to the Affidavit filed with the complaint, on Aug. 15, 2023, an Illinois State Police Trooper stopped the tractor trailer Dowling-Chacon and Dukes-Acosta were operating on Interstate 55 near Springfield for a routine motor carrier safety inspection. The men told the trooper they were traveling together from California to Chicago to pick up a load for the tractor trailer. While speaking to Dowling-Chacon and Dukes-Acosta, the trooper became suspicious and determined further investigation was necessary. After receiving permission to search the vehicle, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 103 kilograms of suspected cocaine. Agents from the DEA assisted with the investigation on the scene.

If convicted, Dowling-Chacon and Dukes-Acosta face a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment of at least 10 years and could receive up to life in prison. The charges also carry up to a life-time term of supervised release and a possible fine of up to $10 million.

The arrests followed investigation by the Illinois State Police, DEA, Springfield Police Department, Jacksonville Police Department and Logan County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the public are reminded that the charges in a complaint are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.