Two people were arrested earlier this month following a traffic stop in Waterloo that resulted in the seizure of fentanyl and other drugs.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said that at about 9:15 p.m. Dec. 2, a patrolling deputy spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in the roadway without lights and occupied on Allan Street near Lou Del Street in Waterloo.

As this deputy approached the vehicle, the driver was seen attempting to hide a bag containing what appeared to be narcotics. During the course of the stop, deputies established probable cause to search the vehicle and both the male driver and a female passenger were taken into custody.

Arrested in the incident were Gregory N. Wilson Jr., 34, of St. Louis, and Melisa Brkic, 27, of Waterloo.

Wilson was charged with controlled substance trafficking, unlawful delivery of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Monroe County court records show Wilson was also charged with possession of fentanyl in December 2022.

Brkic was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Due to the new Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, which abolishes cash bail as a condition of pretrial release, both Wilson and Brkic were released from the Monroe County Jail pending a court date.

“Due to this deputy being proactive and observant by noticing a vehicle parked with no lights on, parked in the roadway at night, noticing the vehicle had out-of-state license plates, knowing the area was recently hit with vehicle burglaries, this deputy did his job by going further and investigating why the vehicle was parked the way it was,” MCSD Sgt. Justin Biggs said.

Police said that drugs seized as evidence during this stop were 389 capsules containing fentanyl, 40 grams of cannabis and also some oxycodone.

The MCSD encourages anyone who believes they have observed suspicious behavior to call 618-939-8651.