March 12, 2007   Preble County, Ohio
Ohio State Troopers find 350 pounds of marijuana in a tractor trailer

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 350 pounds of marijuana, valued at $794,500, during a traffic stop today on Interstate 70 in Preble County. The suspect will be arraigned in the Eaton Municipal Court on felony drug trafficking charges associated with the case.

The driver, Garnette Ellison, 38, of Los Angeles, CA was charged with second-degree felony trafficking marijuana and fifth-degree felony possession of criminal tools. Ellison was also cited for speeding.

A trooper stopped the 2001 Kenworth truck with a 1995 Pine trailer, both with California registration, for a speed violation eastbound on Interstate 70 near milepost 6 in Preble County at 11:19 a.m. today. An Ohio State Highway Patrol drug detecting canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 350 pounds of marijuana.

Ellison is incarcerated in the Preble County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to nine years in prison and up to a $17,500 fine.



Source: Ohio State Highway Patrol