MUSKINGUM – 16 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $80,000 was found inside a car stopped by Ohio State Highway Patrol on December 22.

The car was pulled over for following too closely and traffic control device violations. After being pulled over, Zanesville police were called to bring their drug-sniffing canine.

The search resulted in two suitcases in the trunk full of the marijuana.

The car, registered in California, was being driven by Raguel Morales, 33, with the passenger Genaro Velazomes.

Both men have been charged with possession of marijuana.

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Troopers find $80,000 lbs of marijuana in Muskingum County
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Troopers stopped a 2014 Nissan Sentra, with California registration for following too closely and traffic control device violations in Muskingum County at 12:47 p.m., on December 22. Criminal indicators were observed and a Zanesville Police Department drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed two suitcases containing approximately 16 pounds of marijuana, worth $80,000, in the trunk of the vehicle. The driver, Raguel Morales, 33, of Wilmington, Del., and Genaro Velazomes, 36, of Philadelphia, Pa., were incarcerated in the Muskingum County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana, a third-degree felony.

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