FINDLAY – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 30 pounds of marijuana, valued at $70,000, during a traffic stop yesterday on the Ohio Turnpike in Lucas County. The suspects will be arraigned today in Maumee Municipal Court on felony charges associated with the case.

The driver, Lazaro Delgado, 47, of Cleveland, Ohio, and passenger Anthony Banks, 36, of Birmingham, Alabama, were charged with possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana, both third-degree felonies.

A trooper stopped the 2007 Toyota Camry with Ohio registration for a speed violation eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 57 in Springfield Township, Lucas County at 3:26 p.m. yesterday. An Ohio State Highway Patrol drug-detection canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 30 bricks of marijuana hidden in the vehicle.

The suspects were incarcerated at the Lucus County Jail. The vehicle was a rental and was released back to the rental agency.

If convicted, each suspect could face up to 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine.

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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