TROOPER JUST TRAINED IN CRIMINAL INTERDICTION ARRESTS TWO AND RECOVERS LOAD OF MARIJUANA

(ELKTON, MD) – A Maryland state trooper returning from criminal interdiction training put his new knowledge to use when he stopped to assist a disabled vehicle last night on I-95 in Cecil County and found a load of marijuana with a street value of more than $300,000.  

The suspects are identified as Fernando A. Gonzalez, 45, of Miami, Fla., and Juan C. Gomez Romero, 51, of Homestead, Fla.  Both are charged with importing marijuana into the state, possession of a large amount of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Both were taken to the Cecil County Detention Center for an initial hearing before a court commissioner.  

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. yesterday, a trooper assigned to the JFK Highway Barrack was returning from a three-day training class on criminal interdiction when he stopped to assist a disabled pickup truck on the exit ramp from northbound I-95 to Rt. 279 near Elkton.  The two occupants, later identified as Gonzalez and Romero, were changing a flat tire on the truck.  

After conversation with the suspects and visual observations indicative of possible criminal activity, the trooper requested and received consent to search the truck.  In the enclosed truck bed, the trooper found two duffle bags and a box.  Inside the bags and box he found dozens of plastic bags of high-grade marijuana.  

The total weight of the marijuana was 67 pounds.  The high-grade “hydroponic” marijuana has an estimated street value of $335,000.  

The investigation is continuing.