June 15, 2007   Guernsey County, Ohio
105 pounds of marijuana seized by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on I-77

A Florida man is facing felony drug possession charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 105 pounds of marijuana, valued at $238,000, during a traffic stop yesterday on Interstate 77 in Guernsey County. The driver, Jesus Toledo, 52, of Bushnell, FL, is charged with second-degree felony possession of marijuana.

Troopers stopped the rented 2007 Chrysler Pacifica, displaying Florida registration, for a speed violation of 81 mph in a 65 mph zone northbound on Interstate 77 near milepost 44 in Guernsey County at 1:51 a.m. Thursday. A Guernsey County Sheriff's Office drug-detecting canine alerted to the vehicle, and a probable cause search revealed 105 pounds of marijuana concealed in two duffel bags.

Toledo was incarcerated in the Guernsey County Jail, and will be arraigned in the Cambridge Municipal Court. If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.

Through April of 2007, the Patrol has seized nearly 1.2 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at $29.9 million. In 2006, the Patrol seized more than 4.9 million grams (11,000 lbs.) of illegal narcotics, valued at nearly $55 million.

Source: Ohio State Highway Patrol