A
41-year-old man, Mahdi Ishmael J. Alston, was released from the
Beckham County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond after being charged
with trafficking illegal marijuana.
The
investigation began on December 8 when an Oklahoma Bureau of
Narcotics (OBN) agent observed a vehicle traveling east on Interstate
40 near mile-marker 10 in Beckham County. The vehicle, a Chevrolet
Tahoe, exited into a rest area without using its turn signal,
prompting the agent to initiate a traffic stop about a mile down the
road.
During
the stop, the agent noticed the Tahoe’s cargo area contained
cardboard boxes covered with black cloth. Suspicious of the
situation, the OBN agent called for a K-9 unit to conduct a sniff
test. Meanwhile, Alston’s explanation regarding his rental vehicle
reportedly did not add up.
The
K-9 unit’s inspection allegedly led to the discovery of 120 pounds
of marijuana in the vehicle, resulting in Alston’s arrest and
subsequent charge.
