$500K in cocaine found in used minivan

San Jose psychologist Charles Preston paid $14,000 last year for a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country minivan that came fully loaded — with cocaine. 

According to the Associated Press, Preston bought the car in May 2010 from Thrifty Car Sales in Santa Clara, California. He noticed that the driver's side window wouldn't go down all the way, "but he figured he would live with it because the Town and Country van had a good air conditioning system," the AP reported.

Then, when Preston took the van to a mechanic in August, the stash of cellophane-wrapped cocaine was found stuffed in the door panels. Police were notified immediately. 

Preston told the Silicon Valley Mercury News that the matter isn't as funny as some people want to make it seem. 

"People make jokes — oh, you should have sold it," he said. "But honestly, I've never been so scared in my life, even when I was mugged in New York."

Sgt. Jason Dwyer, with the San Jose police, said Preston may have cause to fear. 

"If somebody is motivated to track down that van and doesn't want any witnesses, then some physical harm could come to the owner," he said. "That's a lot of dope to be misplaced."