DAYTON – For the second time this month, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers in Preble County have made a significant seizure of marijuana hidden in Christmas wrappings during a traffic stop.

This time, a Tuesday morning traffic stop at 10:19 a.m. yielded 45 pounds of marijuana, valued at $102,690, wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper located in the trunk within suitcases of a rented 2008 Dodge Stratus. On December 8, just two miles from today’s seizure, state troopers made a similar seizure of 25 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $56,000 during a traffic stop Interstate 70 in Preble County near milepost 8.

In today’s seizure, troopers stopped the vehicle on Interstate 70, near milepost 6 in Preble County for an unsafe lane change. A drug-detecting canine alerted to the vehicle, and a probable cause search revealed the marijuana wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper located in the trunk within suitcases.

The driver, Qiturah H. Muhammad, 23, of Danville, Pa., and passenger Shawn E. Williams, 25, of Mifflinville, Pa., were each charged with second-degree felony Trafficking in Marijuana, and fifth-degree felony Possession of Criminal Tools. If convicted, each suspect could face up to nine years in prison and up to a $17,500 fine.

The suspects were incarcerated at the Preble County Jail, and will be arraigned tomorrow in the Preble County Court. The vehicle was returned to the rental company.

Through September of 2007, the Patrol had seized more than 3.3 million grams of illegal narcotics valued at approximately $53.8 million. In 2006, the Patrol seized more than 4.9 million grams (11,000 lbs.) of illegal narcotics, valued at nearly $55 million.

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Note to editors: For a digital photo of the marijuana, visit www.statepatrol.ohio.gov

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