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. 
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