Vancouver’s Crime Reduction Unit detectives say they cut into a suspected drug-trafficking pipeline on Monday after spotting packages stuffed with more than 31 pounds of marijuana that were about to be shipped out of state. That discovery led to a search warrant at a local home and a vehicle, where officers say they uncovered still more marijuana plus packing supplies. One man was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail, according to Vancouver police.
In a Facebook update, the Vancouver Police Department said Crime Reduction Unit detectives found the suspicious packages at the drop-off point, then followed up with a warrant on a residence and a vehicle. According to the department, officers seized the outgoing packages that together held more than 31 pounds of marijuana, found additional marijuana during the search, collected drug-packaging materials, and recovered more than $3,500 in cash. The man arrested was identified as Ramon Garcia, who was booked into the Clark County Jail on multiple felony distribution charges related to marijuana.
Search, Seizures And Arrest
As outlined in the department’s Facebook post, detectives say they “stopped a drug trafficking operation” after discovering that the dropped-off shipment contained more than 31 pounds of marijuana, according to the Vancouver Police Department. During the follow-up search of the residence and vehicle, officers reported finding more marijuana along with drug-packaging materials and more than $3,500 in cash. Garcia was arrested at the scene and booked into the Clark County Jail on multiple felony distribution counts, police said.
State And Federal Stakes
While adults can legally buy marijuana in Washington, that protection stops at the state line. Shipping cannabis out of state or using interstate mail can bring federal trouble. Under the Controlled Substances Act, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute is a crime, according to the Legal Information Institute. Washington law also treats unlawful manufacture or delivery of controlled substances as a felony, as set out in the Revised Code of Washington. On top of that, state cannabis rules require licensed transport and traceability for marijuana shipments, according to the Washington Administrative Code…