July 25, 2007   Lorain County, Ohio
Ohio State Highway Patrol seize 20 pounds of high potent marijuana

A Pennsylvania man is facing felony drug possession charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 20 pounds of BC Bud marijuana, valued at more than $900,000, during a traffic stop yesterday on the Ohio Turnpike in Lorain County.

The driver, Hani A. Alkanani, 36, of Erie, Pa. was charged with possession of marijuana, a third-degree felony.

Troopers stopped a 1997 Buick Century, displaying Pennsylvania registration, for a speed violation eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 140 in Lorain County at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. A drug-detecting canine alerted to the vehicle, and a probable cause search revealed 20 pounds of BC Bud marijuana.

The suspect was incarcerated in the Lorain County Jail, and will be arraigned in the Oberlin Municipal Court today. If convicted, Alkanani could face up to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

BC Bud marijuana is one of the most potent strains of cannabis, which is usually cultivated in British Columbia. It has a THC content of 30 percent as compared to only four percent in traditional marijuana.

Through June of 2007, the Patrol has seized more than 1.2 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at $30.1 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