I-70 traffic stop yields $150,000 in high-grade marijuana

CLOVERDALE -- What began as a routine traffic stop Tuesday morning on Interstate 70 in Putnam County has resulted in a significant marijuana bust by the Indiana State Police and Putnam County Sheriff's Department working in concert.

With 25 pounds of reportedly high-grade marijuana beside them, Putnam County Sheriff's Department Deputy Dwight Simmons (left), his K9 partner Bo and Indiana State Police Trooper Yan Dravigne display what is estimated to be $150,000 worth of the drug.

State Police officials indicate the value of the 25 pounds of reported high-grade marijuana confiscated is estimated at $150,000.

The incident unfolded Tuesday as an eastbound car occupied by two Virginia men was stopped by Trooper Yan Dravigne for a traffic violation on I-70 at the 36-mile marker, five miles west of Cloverdale.

Dravigne stopped a 2015 Nissan for following too closely at approximately 11:45 a.m.

After having a conversation with the occupants, Trooper Dravigne reportedly noticed several indicators of possible criminal activity and called for assistance from Major Dwight Simmons of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department who also brought "Bo," his drug detection dog.

Upon examination of the vehicle, Bo alerted to the odor of controlled substances, which turned out to be approximately 25 pounds of high-grade marijuana known as "Hydro." The marijuana was stowed in duffel bags in the trunk of the car.

Hydro marijuana is reportedly produced in a clandestine, controlled environment using enriched liquid nutrients. Street value of it in the eastern United States reportedly can reach as high as $7,500 per pound.

The occupants of the vehicle were reportedly traveling from Colorado to Virginia. They were arrested and incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail.

Both Kenny Pereyra, 22, Manassas, Va., and Anthony Bourdie, 26, Fairfax, Va., are facing charges of dealing in marijuana of more than 10 pounds and possession of marijuana in excess of 10 pounds. Both charges are felonies.

Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton applauded the cooperative efforts of his department and the ISP in making the arrests and taking drugs off the street.

"As the sheriff of Putnam County," Sheriff Stockton told the Banner Graphic, "it's rewarding to hear the daily good work all of our police agencies are doing every day for our citizens, on the interstate as well as our municipalities and rural county areas."