Police find 8 pounds of pot in speeding pickup
ASHLAND, Ore. - Two Washington State men were arrested Tuesday morning after Oregon State Police troopers say they found about 8 pounds of marijuana in a pickup during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Ashland.
A trooper stopped a 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday for a speed-related violation northbound on I-5 near milepost 10. The two pickup occupants were identified as driver Bryan Banning, 24, from Lake Stevens, Wash., and passenger Griffin Thompson, 20, from Marysville, Wash.
Troopers found a small amount of marijuana in the pickup's passenger compartment. With the assistance of an OSP drug detection canine, troopers discovered approximately 8 pounds of marijuana inside a large tote in the pickup bed area. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is nearly $25,000.
Banning and Thompson were both taken into custody for unlawful manufacturing, possession and distribution of marijuana. Both were lodged at Jackson County Jail.
