ANGOLA, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana State Police seized a large stash of marijuana that was headed to Massachusetts from California in a traffic stop Monday morning on the Indiana Toll Road.
The two men inside the Mercedes SUV told the trooper they were headed to Massachusetts from the west coast and a search turned up the drugs.
The two were arrested on felony dealing marijuana charges. Both suspects are from Massachusetts.
Indiana State Police released the following:
At approximately 1:15am Monday morning, Toll Road Post Trooper Casey Davis conducted a traffic stop with a 2020 Mercedes SUV for an unsafe lane movement on I-80 near the 140mm, Steuben County.
The vehicle was occupied by two men who reported to be traveling from California back to Massachusetts, both alleged to be showing signs of impairment. Trooper Davis noted there was a strong odor of Marijuana coming from the vehicle, as well as there being open alcohol containers.
A probable cause search of the vehicle located a large garbage bag being transported in the spare tire well. That bag contained (10) individual bags of suspected Marijuana, each weighing about one pound.
The driver and passenger were both taken into custody and transported to the Steuben County jail for further investigation.
The passenger, Abdulkarim Mbarushimana, 30, Worcester, Massachusetts, was arrested and booked into custody for Dealing Marijuana, a Level 5 Felony.
After completing a battery of field sobriety tests with the driver, Eric Njoroge Mwangi, 24, Worcester, Massachusetts, he too was also placed under arrest and booked into the custody on related charges- Dealing Marijuana, a Level 5 Felony, and (3) Misdemeanor charges related to Operating While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana.
Trooper Davis was assisted in his investigation by Troopers from the Fort Wayne Post and Deputies from the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, and Bill’s Towing.
*All suspects mentioned in this release are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges cited are merely accusations. The final determination of criminal charges to be filed is at the discretion of the Steuben County Prosecutor.
-Walker