Gillette, Wyo.
(this guy got arrested in NE Wyoming and thought he was in Canada...)
British Columbia man allegedly caught with $2.4 million worth of pot
A British Columbia man allegedly caught with $2.4 million worth of marijuana Sunday near Gillette will face federal charges, officials said.
Shaelen Allan Morgan, 32, of Victoria, B.C., was arrested after a police dog alerted to possible narcotics in his truck during a traffic stop on Interstate 90 about four miles west of Gillette, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Twelve packed duffel bags containing 300 pounds of a popular and potent version of the drug were allegedly found in the back of the rented Ford truck.
One pound of the marijuana called "B.C. Bud" is worth about $8,000, the Highway Patrol said. Also found during the arrest allegedly were $13,133 cash in two bundles, 3.5 grams of cocaine and 1 gram of methamphetamine with a pipe.
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Frosty Williams said the decision to charge Morgan federally instead of at the state level was mainly due to the quantity seized.
"That decision is a reach between the Campbell County Attorney's Office and the United States Attorney's Office," Williams said.
Morgan is expected to make his initial appearance in Casper's federal court on Wednesday.
Morgan was stopped at about 3 p.m. heading eastbound on the interstate for speeding. He was allegedly driving 79 mph in a 75 zone, Patrol Sgt. Steve Townsend said.
Morgan was issued a warning for speeding and when asked if he would consent to a search of the vehicle he denied it. A police dog was requested by the trooper and one was provided by the Gillette Police Department.
The dog alerted officers to the back of the truck, which was covered by a topper shell, Townsend said. The duffel bags were located in the truck's bed.
Morgan told authorities he was heading from Seattle to Schaumberg, Ill., which is located near Chicago, Townsend said. Morgan also told police that he had never been so far east in Canada.
This year's start appears on track with drug seizures made in 2004 the Wyoming Highway Patrol, including 2,620 pounds of marijuana and $408,700 in U.S. during traffic stops, Townsend said.
In all, the Highway Patrol seized more than $7.6 million worth of drugs in 2004.
Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Will Zilka said he is thankful for the canine support of the Campbell County Sheriff's Office and Gillette Police Department in handling drug-related searches.
By MARTIN REED
News-Record Writer
