Deputy uncovers 30 pounds of Marijuana during traffic stop

MT. PLEASANT — After receiving a complaint of erratic driving on Highway 218, Henry County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Oklahoma woman on charges related to the possession of 30 pounds of Marijuana last Monday evening.

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On Monday, April 15 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Henry County Deputy Logan Bass was advised of a driving complaint for a red Chevrolet Cruze with an Oklahoma license plate traveling westbound on Highway 34 from Mile Marker 244.

“The reporting party described the vehicle to be traveling all over the highway hitting the gravel on both sides,” Bass stated in court documents.

Bass then observed this vehicle on Highway 218 near mile marker 44 swerving in and out of their lane and driving 74 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone. Due to these violations, Bass conducted a traffic stop which revealed more than a traffic violation by driver Cynthia Ruiz, 33, of Bixby, Oklahoma.

“Upon speaking with Cynthia, an odor of Marijuana was detected from the vehicle,” Bass stated in a criminal complaint. “When asked, Cynthia made admissions to possibly having Marijuana in the vehicle. Cynthia also stated she was traveling from Oklahoma to Minnesota.”

After observing the smell and hearing admissions from Ruiz, Bass searched the vehicle.

“In the trunk, I located a black suitcase and black garbage bag containing Marijuana,” Bass’s report detailed. “Within the suitcase and black garbage bag, there were separate vacuum sealed bags containing Marijuana. Each vacuum sealed bag contained approximately half a kilogram of Marijuana, totaling to an approximate thirteen kilograms (30 lbs.).”

According to Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee, 30 pounds is a noteworthy amount.

“Doesn’t happen very often,” he said. “We have gotten larger seizures before but this is a bigger one.”

Additional search of the vehicle and Ruiz’s personal belongings turned up a used glass pipe and a tube containing a THC cartridge with 80% raw THC distillate.

Ruiz was placed under arrest on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver — Class D felony, Failure to Affix Drug Stamp — Class D felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance — Serious Misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — Simple Misdemeanor. She also received citations for speeding and improper use of lanes.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 26 at Henry County Courthouse. Ruiz is currently in custody with a $11,300 cash only bond.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com