174 Pounds of Marijuana Found in Gas Tank

Wilbur

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A traffic stop on Canal Street Tuesday netted 161 packages of marijuana, leading to federal drug charges being filed against two El Paso men.

Cesar F. Lopez, 29, and Reymundo M. Garcia, 42, are each charged with conspiracy and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Garcia was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from El Paso charging him with possession of more than 50 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Both men were arraigned Wednesday in Federal District Court in Roswell by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kea Riggs. They were remanded to the U.S. Marshals Service pending future court appearances in Las Cruces. Riggs ordered both men to be held without bond.

According to a press release from the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, the two men were arrested after Lt. Kelly Lowe of the Carlsbad Police Department stopped a 2000 Ford Excursion driven by Lopez in the 2400 block of South Canal Street for a traffic violation.

After he stopped the SUV, Lowe conducted a routine warrant check on Lopez and discovered the outstanding warrant from El Paso.

While Garcia was being arrested on the warrant, he attempted to throw away a baggie containing *******, the press release

Agents of the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force responded to the scene and recovered the baggie and searched the vehicle.

They discovered a hidden compartment inside the gas tank of the SUV. After opening a hidden access panel, agents found 161 packages of marijuana, totaling 174.56 pounds. They found a total of one gram of ******* and $536.01 inside the SUV, the release states.

During an investigation that followed, agents learned that Lopez and Garcia were taking the vehicle to Oklahoma City, Okla., to deliver the illegal drugs. Agents said Lopez was to receive $4,000 for delivery of the marijuana and had made a prior trip to Oklahoma City the week before.

According to the press release, the two men are believed to be part of a major drug trafficking organization that is responsible for the distribution of multiple pounds of marijuana from Mexico throughout the southeastern part of the country.

Task force agents are continuing their investigation of the organization, and future arrests are expected, the release states.



Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus
Pubdate: 24 November 2006
Author: Dawn Bowen
Copyright: 2006 Carlsbad Current-Argus
Contact: Carlsbad Current-Argus - Home
Website: Carlsbad Current-Argus - Home
 
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