Indianapolis police seize nearly 50 pounds of cocaine found in a man's Tesla

INDIANAPOLIS — A major drug bust helped Indianapolis police get about 50 pounds of cocaine and other drugs off the streets.

On September 30, 2024, IMPD was pursuing an ongoing shooting investigation involving Derrick Griffin.

The police had a search warrant for the 49-year-old's car, which was described as a black Tesla model^Th Street and Emerson Avenue.

Records show law enforcement conducted surveillance around the company. Officers observed Griffin exit the store and walk toward the Telsa, which was parked in front of Bay #2.

According to police, Griffin was seen entering and exiting the store and Telsa several times.

As officers approached with the search warrant, they conducted a security check and detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the store.

According to the documents, IMPD notified Griffin of the search warrant for his car. A detective asked Griffin if he had the keys to his vehicle, but he did not answer. Officers found the keys in the business office.

The officers then found numerous pieces of cocaine and a large amount of cash in the trunk. A shamrock logo was visible on the cocaine packaging.

A tan handgun was also found under the driver's seat.

WRTV

Law enforcement was granted a state search warrant through Marion County Superior Court to search the car for additional narcotics.

They found the following in the car:

• 19,700 grams of cocaine
• Big amount of money
• The Tan Springfield Armory 9mm pistol was later identified as stolen

Officers then obtained a search warrant for the Wash Hand Carwash and Detailing business.

In the company they found the following:

• Around 2,338 grams of heroin
• 127.6 grams of fentanyl
• 4 digital scales
• 8,000 grams of marijuana
• Large amounts of money

According to the DEA office, the amount seized is several million dollars.

WRTV

“When you have these drugs together and you see that there was fentanyl in there as well. “It’s not hard to take fentanyl and mix it into heroin or cocaine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon.

Gannon says this drug lord impacted the lives of thousands of people.

“A significant amount of drugs are being taken off the streets. And I think that’s the most important thing,” Gannon said.

Griffin's alleged drug trafficking crime is now in federal court.

“If you deal drugs, at some point you will be identified,” Gannon said. “When you're dealing large amounts of drugs, our job is to put together a case that a prosecutor can easily bring to trial and convict beyond a reasonable doubt.”