09-30-2009, 05:29 AM
LORAIN -- An Illinois man is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 31 pounds of BC Bud marijuana, valued at more than $124,000, during a traffic stop yesterday on the Ohio Turnpike in Amherst Township in Lorain County.
Troopers stopped a 2009 Toyota Prius with New York registration for speed and marked lanes violations westbound on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 149 at approximately 4:23 p.m. Monday.
Troopers observed the driver and an OSP drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle.
A probable cause search revealed 31 pounds of BC Bud marijuana in the trunk.
The driver, Jose Duran, 32, of Aurora, Ill., was charged with possession of drugs, a third-degree felony. Duran was taken to the Lorain County Jail.
If convicted, he could face up to 5 years in prison and 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 August 2009, the Patrol seized more than 3 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at approximately $19.3 million.
In 2008, the Patrol seized more than 5.2 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at approximately $47.5 million
Troopers stopped a 2009 Toyota Prius with New York registration for speed and marked lanes violations westbound on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 149 at approximately 4:23 p.m. Monday.
Troopers observed the driver and an OSP drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle.
A probable cause search revealed 31 pounds of BC Bud marijuana in the trunk.
The driver, Jose Duran, 32, of Aurora, Ill., was charged with possession of drugs, a third-degree felony. Duran was taken to the Lorain County Jail.
If convicted, he could face up to 5 years in prison and 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 August 2009, the Patrol seized more than 3 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at approximately $19.3 million.
In 2008, the Patrol seized more than 5.2 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at approximately $47.5 million