AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Nearly half a million dollars in marijuana was seized during a traffic stop west of Amarillo, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The driver of the vehicle, 67-year-old Larry J. Ruple of North Canton, Ohio, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, a second degree felony.
According to DPS, a troioer conducted a traffic stop on a 2012 Toyota Corolla for following too closely. The vehicle, according to DPS, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 west of Amarillo at the city limit.
During the traffic stop, consent to search the vehicle was granted. Eighty-three pounds of marijuana was found inside the passenger compartment.
The drugs were found inside 17 Christmas-wrapped boxes, DPS said.
The marijuana was valued at $448,777 and was being transported from Marysville, Calif., to North Canton, Ohio, DPS said.
