Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 18 people on 20 charges during Saturday’s races and concerts at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Most were charged with alcohol or drug-related offenses. Most of the arrests were for illegal possession or consumption of alcohol, with 16 people facing that charge. Other charges include furnishing alcohol to a minor and possession of false identification.
The most serious charges were filed against an Indianapolis man. Robert Penrod, 38, is charged with possession of heroin and possession of a controlled substance. A plainclothes excise officer saw Penrod using a rolled up dollar bill to snort heroin in the passenger seat of a truck, according to a news release from the agency.
Excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, but they mainly focus on alcohol, tobacco and related offenses.
