CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO -- A total of 26 bales of suspected marijuana, valued at $2.5 million, was seized during a traffic stop on Wednesday between Clovis and Portales, according to the Curry County Sheriff's Office.
John Travis Hair, 31, of El Paso was arrested on the charge of Distribution of Marijuana, over 100 pounds, a third degree felony.
New Mexico Livestock Board stopped Hair on July 18 on US 70 between Clovis and Portales to inspect the horses he was transporting. Police said it was determined he did not possess the required documentation or proof of ownership for the animals.
The Curry County Sheriff's Office was contacted to assist. Inspection of the horse trailer led to the discovery of thepossibility of a fabricated hidden compartment. The Region V Drug Task Force responded along with a Clovis Police Department canine.
The canine alerted to the presence of drugs, authorities said.
A search warrant was issued and the Task Force agents found 26 bales of suspected marijuana, weighing more than 1,700 pounds. According to authorities, the value for this amount of marjuana is $2.5 million.
Hair was booked into the Curry County Detention Center and was being held on a $250,000 cash bond.
Authorities said the investigation into this matter is ongoing.
