Grainy phone photo by Lisa Linge show vehicle with its hatch open and pounds inside

Over a 100 turkey bags (and the pounds of pot contained by them) failed to reach their destination in time for Thanksgiving Day, when Luis Alonso Nolasco age 39 of Paramount, California was placed under arrest this morning. Nolasco was stopped for speeding just north of the Mendocino County lines near the Cooks Valley gas station.

The CHP officer who stopped him around 10 A.M. this morning said he detected the odor of marijuana and searched the vehicle.  The officer located 111 pounds of processed marijuana in clear plastic turkey bags in the back seat and the rear carry area.  The suspect was placed under arrest for cultivation and transportation and booked into the Humboldt County jail.

Lisa Linge who was arriving for work at the gas station as the car was being searched said, “[The vehicle] looked like it was practically full…The backseat of the jeep was covered.” She said that her customers were fascinated.  “You hear about this but you don’t see it…I guess the guy is having a bad turkey day.”

CHP Press Release added at 3:55 P.M.:

On November 21, 2012 a Garberville Area CHP Officer observed a green 2004 Jeep Laredo traveling southbound on US-101 at a high rate of speed through Richardson Grove, resulting in an enforcement stop north of the Mendocino County line.  The Jeep’s driver was identified by his California Drivers License as Luis Alonso Nolasco (DOB: 12/21/1972) from Paramount, California.  While speaking with Mr. Nolasco, the Officer recognized the strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the Jeep.  Mr. Nolasco also related that there was marijuana inside the vehicle.  During a subsequent investigation, approximately 111 pounds of processed and packaged marijuana was located inside the Jeep.  The marijuana was processed and packaged in clear plastic bags, each weighing nearly a pound.  Mr. Nolasco was placed under arrest on suspicion of marijuana cultivation, possession and transportation for sales.  The Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) responded to the scene and assisted Garberville Area CHP with this incident.

 

Photo provided by CHP