Two men are facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 1,002 pounds of marijuana in Madison County.
The drugs, worth approximately $5 million, were discovered during a traffic stop, according to a release.
At 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, troopers stopped a 1998 Freightliner semi-tractor and trailer, with New Jersey registration, for a marked lanes violation on Interstate 70. A drug-sniffing dog was called to the scene after troopers observed criminal indicators.
If convicted, each could face up to 16 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine.
The driver, Yoel Vareladiaz, 41, of Rosenhayn, N.J., and passenger, Varela Sixto, 64, of Sunrise, Fla., were booked into Tri-County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana and trafficking in drugs, both second-degree felonies.