Pubdate: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 Source: Longview News-Journal (TX) Copyright: 2000sCox Interactive Media Contact: P.O. Box 1792, Longview, TX 75605 Fax: 903.757.3742 Website: http://www.news-journal.com/index.html Author: Brad Rollins Bookmark: additional articles on cannabis are available at http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm and additional articles on Texas are available at http://www.mapinc.org/states/tx.htm 100 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA CONFISCATED IN DRUG BUST JEFFERSON Marion County officials made two arrests in a drug bust Sunday morning that led to the confiscation of about 100 pounds of marijuana, which is worth an estimated $200,000. Andres Morales, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and Jorge H. Garcia were charged with aggravated possession of marijuana. They posted bail and were released from the Marion County Jail on Sunday. District attorney investigator Bobby Johnson and Jefferson police Sgt. Donnie Vallery made the stop while running drug interdiction on U.S. 59 near Jefferson. "We stopped a white Dodge rental car with two white males," Johnson said. "They had military uniforms hanging in the back, which is something we look for. Upon questioning the subjects, they appeared nervous and their stories did not match." Johnson said the marijuana was top quality and was unusual because of its packaging, which included the seal of a Mexican drug operation. Johnson said drugs were being transported from McAllen to a location in North Carolina. Both suspects will be prosecuted in Marion County by District Attorney James Finstrom. Moralea's involvement in the Marine Corps Reserve has sparked an investigation into that end of the operation, Johnson said. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder