Chicago Man Charged After Cocaine, Marijuana, and Paraphernalia Recovered in Cedar Lake Traffic Stop
A Chicago man, Rodney A. Buckles, 43, has been charged in Lake County after police recovered more than 80 grams of cocaine, marijuana, cash, and paraphernalia during a December 10 traffic stop in Cedar Lake.
According to the probable cause affidavit, an officer on patrol observed a Toyota traveling on Wicker Avenue in Cedar Lake with an obstructed license plate and weaving within its lane on December 10, 2025. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver was identified by an Illinois driver’s license as Rodney Buckles.
The affidavit states Buckles had three separate cell phones, one of which had a white powdery residue suspected to be cocaine. Similar residue was visible on car parts, his pants, and his shirt. Buckles denied possessing any cocaine. K9 Johnny conducted a free-air sniff on the vehicle and gave a positive alert for narcotics.
A search of the vehicle revealed two large baggies of white substance in the center console, along with a digital scale containing white residue, $6,112 in U.S. currency, and a roll of plastic sandwich baggies. In the trunk, officers located a jar of green leafy substance. According to the affidavit, the white substance weighed 85 grams and field-tested positive for cocaine, including residue on the scale. The leafy substance weighed 3 grams and tested positive for marijuana.
Lodged in Lake County Jail.
Charges filed December 11,2025:
• Dealing in Cocaine (Possession with Intent, >10g) — Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia (Introducing Controlled Substance Into Body) — Class C Misdemeanor
