In sort of a drug-addled take on the classic Grinch tale, the Ohio State Highway Patrol seized 30 pounds of marijuana wrapped up as Christmas gifts yesterday.
The stash clocked in at around $192,000.
Armando Flores Deleon, 33, of Madison, Wis., was driving a 2005 BMW X3 SUV when he was pulled over for swerving on the Ohio Turnpike. The smell of his Christmas gifts tipped off the suspicions of the officer. He was tossed in Lorain County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana, a third-degree felony. If convicted, Deleon could face up to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Meanwhile, troopers in Erie County kinda outdid their brethren when they seized 353 pounds of hydroponic marijuana the same day. That amounts to an estimated $1.6 million.
Thomas Whitlow, 30, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Kenneth Coffin, 54, and Lucas Franz, 33, both of Seattle, Wash., were taken to the Erie County Jail and charged with drug trafficking and possession of drugs – second-degree felonies. Convictions would carry punishments up to 16 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine.
It’s been a banner year for the highway patrol, which, as of Dec. 10, has made 1,423 more drug arrests than during the same time period last year.
This article appears in Dec 12-18, 2012.
Bwaahaahahaahahaaaa!!!!!!
Dumbasses!!!!!!!!!!
When in the future and it is legal will they still burn the bootlegged or will they redistribute it? We need to get some tax revenues from this weed thing. It would be the biggest cash crop of all time if the USA were to tax it. The market is already in place and used to paying like 200 and oz for good weed. It will make more money that tobbaco and probably do less harm. Less harm than booze too. We are really kind of backwards with drugs and alcohol. I have never seen a person smoke pot and go nuts with a gun or drive 100 miles and hour like a drunk. I’ve been stopped for going like 30 miles an hour in a fifty-five with a death grip on the sterring wheel. I am glad the officer believed me when I said I hit a skunk and that was what smelled.
Ive heard of Skunk Weed, but that takes the cake ! LOLOLOLOL
I have been to at least 3/4 of all our States and to 13 different countries at last count. I have met pot smokers in every place I have gone and none were violent or attempting to sell their bodies or kids for a joint.
I can understand the reasoning behind drug tests in employment, but not everyone is in a profession where sobriety is necessary. I do not think ANYONE would want their Surgeon or Nurse being under the influence of ANYTHING. I most certainly would not.
But I agree that pot should be legalized, with restrictions. No one under 18 (good luck with that one as I see 11,12,13 year olds with cigarettes and booze all over Cleveland along with pot and better armed that some small Armies), no smoking while driving (good luck with that too, just look around at all the drunks on the road), I can keep going but whats the use ?
Germany has had legal prostitution that is taxed for decades, along with most European Countries. The Netherlands has had pot and hash legal and taxed for decades also.
Just think of the SIN TAX Cleveland could put on each pack of joints and cartons.
Oh well, I thought back when I was 18 pot would be legal by now, and as much as dislike him, even the President has stated it should be a low priority item.
I am 55 now and maybe by the time I am 80 the politicians will finally wake up and see how much payola they can rake in by legalizing it. And the Browns will win the Super Bowl too.
GreasedMonkey: So true. Incredible amounts of cash which would get into the system through other than drug cartels and big dealers..and small dealers. We could like put a dome on the stadium in maybe ten days or so of revenues. We could hire more cops and fireman and maybe even get some big bucks sent to the failing school systems..maybe even more than the lotto gives..Gosh I hope it would be.. Just the medical advantages have not been really given enough R & D. I know if I am around any type of high person the most peaceful is the weed smoker, and the worst is the drunk and meth combo: Man, those hill-billys are crazy! Their eyes bug out like rabid frogs and they holster their tire-iron on one side and a .45 on the other side. I know that many do not like me because I am a liberal and a big supporter of the President, but I do think this city of Cleveland can be great (er) in the near future as a result of the infrastructure and the people who given half a chance are both inovative and productive people who like to help others and work together. No matter if weed becomes part of the positive cash flow or not, Cleveland is going to become great like they were during the industrial revolution..maybe more so.
#Fail