cannabisnews.com: DEA Makes $1.2 Million Bust on I-40!





DEA Makes $1.2 Million Bust on I-40!
Posted by FoM on June 22, 1999 at 11:46:37 PT
By Robert Medley - Staff Writer
Source: The Oklahoman On Line
The pungent aroma of dark green Mexican marijuana filled a Drug Enforcement Administration conference room in Oklahoma City on Monday as law officers talked about their largest pot bust of the year. 
Piled across a desktop were bundles of marijuana wrapped in cellophane, duct tape and brown packing tape. A Tennessee truck driver and a Mexican national who lives in Oklahoma City were arrested Sunday on Interstate 40 near Meridian Avenue. Authorities seized 600 pounds of marijuana and $30,000. The street value of the pot was estimated at $1.2 million. "This is the largest in the state of Oklahoma for the Drug Enforcement Administration this year," said Gloria J. Woods, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA's Oklahoma City office. An anonymous tip led authorities to I-40 and Meridian Avenue about 1:30 p.m. Sunday where Russell Lee Hayes, 48, of Bradford, Tenn., and Elijio Cedillo-Lopez, 40, were arrested. Both were being held in the Oklahoma County jail without bond after being arraigned in federal court Monday on marijuana possession complaints. Woods said officers think the marijuana came from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. A tractor- trailer was found full of duffel bags stuffed with pot, she said. The load apparently passed inspections at the U.S. border at El Paso. Oklahoma City police and DEA agents followed the rig to I-40 and Meridian, where the rig stopped. A man driving a white van pulled up, and the driver was seen giving the tractor- trailer driver a plastic cup that was later found to contain $30,000 in cash, authorities said. The men then started unloading marijuana from the tractor-trailer into the van. As officers surrounded the men, the van driver ran and was caught about 100 yards away. The tractor-trailer is owned by Hayes. The rig was not seized because he owes too much money on it, Woods said. She said agents think there have been at least three other large marijuana smuggling runs from Ciudad Juarez since January. She would not mention any other places from Oklahoma City where agents think some of the pot may have been destined. 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 23, 1999 at 10:12:15 PT:
It Sure Should!
You notice Pat that they didn't seize his semi?Only what they can use!Your title sounds right!Peace, FoM!
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Comment #1 posted by Pat on June 23, 1999 at 01:34:10 PT
Shouldn't this read-DEA Steals $1.2 Million in...
... Theft on I-40! ?I believe that it [properly speaking] should read this [second] way....Don't you?Ps. These are rhetorical questions; there's no need to reply.P o W [Peace or "War on Drugs."]
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