ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
State police say they found nearly 20 pounds of marijuana already bagged for distribution during a weekend traffic stop on northbound Interstate 81 in Botetourt County.
Trooper G.K. Straub said he first thought the car might be stolen because it only had a rear license plate and had no state inspection sticker. The car also had tinted windows, another traffic violation.
Straub called for a canine unit and then pulled the car over without incident just north of Buchanan about 3 p.m. Saturday.
The two men in the car refused to grant written permission for a search, but a police dog detected drugs in the car, which gave police probable cause for the search, Straub said.
Nineteen bags of marijuana were found under the back seat, he said. The approximate street value of the drugs is $60,000.
The driver, James William Benjamin, 21, of Richmond, and his passenger, Jose B. Ferreira of Hollywood, Fla., were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Benjamin and Ferreira are being held in the Botetourt County Jail on $35,000 and $25,000 bond, respectively.
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