100 pounds of pot found in traffic stop in Jefferson County

April 26, 2010

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Police said they found about 100 pounds of marijuana in the back of a van following a traffic stop Thursday on Engle Moler Road.

The driver of the van, Marcelo Antonio Santos, 38, no fixed address, and a passenger, Marino Lerdo Ramirez, 20, no fixed address, were each charged with possession with the intent to deliver marijuana, according to a news release from West Virginia State Police.

A GMC Jimmy was following the van and it was determined the occupants in both vehicles knew each other and were involved in a conspiracy to deliver the pot, the release said.

Two occupants in the GMC Jimmy, identified as Yanisses Rios, 32, and Antonio Hernandez-Hernandez, 27, both of 110 Lake Ridge Drive, Stephens City, Va., were charged with conspiracy of possession with the intent to deliver marijuana, the release said.

Trooper 1st Class Z.L. Nine was on routine patrol on Engle Moler Road about 9 p.m. when he noticed the van go over the center line near the intersection with Knott Drive, the release said.

Nine stopped the van, approached it and smelled marijuana, the release said.

The marijuana was found in black garbage bags, the release said.

n In another marijuana-related arrest on Friday, two troopers went to a house at 124 Whittington Lane in Gerrardstown, W.Va., and found about 4 ounces of marijuana and two marijuana plants, according to a news release.

John Walter Insley, 50, who lived at the Berkeley County home, was charged with possession with intent to deliver and cultivation of marijuana, state police said.

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