Ohio men busted on I-70 for drugs
Published on -1/30/2009, 10:17 PM
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By RYAN CHRISTNER
Three Ohio men were arrested last month after allegedly traveling with nearly 450 pounds of marijuana.
After being stopped by an Ellis County Sheriff's deputy just east of Hays on Interstate 70, Harold L. Tucker, 54, Connelsville; Joseph J. Carpenter, 28, of Malta; and Jeffrey R. Collins, 23, of Chesterhill, have each been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and drug tax stamp violations.
County Attorney Tom Drees said Tucker was the alleged driver of a Chevrolet Avalanche that was stopped at about 11:18 a.m. for crossing the center line.
Undersheriff Bruce Hertel said the officer deployed a K-9 unit and a consensual search of the vehicle's covered truck bed revealed estimated to be worth about $400,000.
Hertel said information gathered during questioning of Tucker led to the stopping of a second vehicle carrying Carpenter and Collins in Barton County. Both vehicles were reportedly traveling together.
According to Drees, bond for all three men was set at $25,000. Carpenter and Collins have since posted bond, while Tucker remains in jail. He said he was unaware if any of the men had prior convictions.
A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.
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