Sheriff Darin Rogers’lawmen nabbed a duo likely headed to Texas with a large stash of marijuana, officials said this week.
Deputy Mike Woods and his K-9 partner Max were working an interdiction shift on March 13 when they successfully apprehended the pair, according to Undersheriff Ben Flowers. Woods at the time was conducting a lawful traffic stop along I-35 on a rental vehicle. Woods reported he was able to smell the odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle, and requested Deputy Ryan Thomas to assist with the stop and subsequent search of the vehicle, said Flowers.
While waiting, Woods asked the occupants if they knew of any marijuana in the vehicle. Both denied any knowledge.
Flowers said a search of the vehicle yielded 12 large vacuum sealed bags containing raw, processed marijuana and a large locked suitcase that also smelled of marijuana. Again, the pair of alleged traffickers denied having a key or combination to the container, said Flowers.
Asearch warrant was obtained and the suitcase was opened, where 17 additional large vacuum sealed bags containing marijuana were located, according to Flowers. The total combined weight of marijuana was over 30 pounds.
Oshay Mann and Brandon Howard, of San Antonio, were arrested and booked into the Murray County Jail. Both have been charged in the District Court of Murray County and have since posted bond.
“Trafficking marijuana has been on the rise throughout the state,” said Sheriff Darin Rogers. “It seems with the over abundance of available of marijuana product from seemingly legal grow operations, the facilities have capitalized on a tax-free source of income.”
Rogers this week thanked the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics for their assistance during and after this case.
