28 pounds of marijuana lands pair in Colorado jail
Rocky Mountain News
Published November 18, 2008 at 7:03 a.m.
Updated November 18, 2008 at 7:03 a.m.
Two people traveling from Utah were arrested in Mesa County Sunday after authorities found nearly 28 pounds of marijuana in their rental car.
Driver Melissa Van Wey, 20, of Kansas City, Mo., was being held on $10,000 bond at the Mesa County Jail on Monday. She faces two counts of marijuana possession as well as two traffic violations.
Passenger Robert Jones, 22, of Kansas City, Kan., was also being held on $10,000 bond at the Mesa County Jail. He faces one count of marijuana possession and one count of intent to sell marijuana.
The two were initially stopped for speeding Saturday by authorities in Blanding, Utah. At the time, police suspected that the couple were transporting drugs, but they did not have a drug-sniffing dog on hand to verify their suspicions.
The couple were allowed to continue on their way, but Colorado authorities were alerted to look for their vehicle, a white Nissan Altima with Kansas plates.
Sunday, the rental car was spotted going eastbound on Interstate 70 by Mesa County sheriff deputies. They pulled the vehicle over after Van Wey was seen failing to signal as the vehicle merged into a lane after leaving a truck stop in Fruita.
The vehicle was pulled over off of I-70, just west of Horizon Drive exit. The two told deputies that they had rented the car to visit Van Wey's uncle in Tucson, Ariz., after he allegedly suffered a stroke.
However, Van Wey acted very nervous while talking to the deputies, who called out a K-9 unit to check the car.
A drug-sniffing dog alerted to the trunk, which deputies searched and found a suitcase containing two bags of marijuana, one weighing 19.8 pounds and the other, 7.8 pounds.
Deputies also found more than $1,000 in cash in the front console of the vehicle, which both Van Wey and Jones denied belonging to them.
Van Wey and Jones were arrested at the scene, and taken to the Mesa County Jail.
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November 18, 2008
7:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
Don't take my weed bro'
November 18, 2008
7:35 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Ahhh, it was just medicinal marijuana for the masses! They weren't doing anything wrong! Cute Lil' drug traffickers!
November 18, 2008
8 a.m.
Suggest removal
blu_boi writes:
Legalize marijuana and focus attention on violent criminals and property crimes. It's idiotic to throw people in jail for possessing an herb!
November 18, 2008
8:07 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Marijuana brees violent criminals! Have you heard of the cartels?
November 18, 2008
8:18 a.m.
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sawzallartist writes:
sheepherder
It is the illegality of pot that raises profits that cause the violence....not the weed itself.
November 18, 2008
8:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
blu_boi writes:
sheepherder writes: Marijuana brees violent criminals! Have you heard of the cartels?
Drug cartels would be out of business if marijuana was decriminalized. Who would pay such high prices for an herb that could be grown in the garden or under a grow light?
November 18, 2008
8:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
chickenlittle1234 writes:
sheepherder writes - "Marijuana brees violent criminals! Have you heard of the cartels?"
The prohibition of marijuana breeds violent criminals. Haven't you heard of Al Capone?
November 18, 2008
8:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
LaszloPanaflex writes:
Legalize it and the violence disappears. How much money does Colorado spend on prosecuting marijuana crimes and housing prisoners? That money would be put to much better use targeting violent crimes. Murderers on the loose, gang wars, dead bodies in allies, but dopers filling the cells. Moronic.
November 18, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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cedykeman1 writes:
ha ha dopers, off to jail you go
November 18, 2008
8:53 a.m.
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moreno2009 writes:
Sounds like illegal search and seizure. does anyone remember what it was like to have the 4th ammendmant.
November 18, 2008
8:53 a.m.
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denverone writes:
What kinda birds don't fly?
November 18, 2008
9:06 a.m.
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Sundog writes:
"We're just going to visit Uncle Dub, no reason to search the trunk."
November 18, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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UNV_ME writes:
Legalize it - don't criticize it
Legalize it and i will advertise it
November 18, 2008
9:21 a.m.
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steve00 writes:
Hopefully these two 20 something geniuses figure out that smuggling ain't their cuppa tea. 'Calm under pressure' won't be showing up on little Melissa's resume. I wonder who conducted the job interview? Maybe Melissa will give that guy up, too, unless it was the idiot boyfriend. I bet 100 lbs drove right by these cops as they were busting these two.
November 18, 2008
9:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
blu_boi writes:
The police were on the lookout for this vehicle, I'm sure the "failure to signal" excuse for pulling them over was made up by the arresting officers. They aren't about to let a bust slip away just because the driver was following the rules of the road!
November 18, 2008
9:43 a.m.
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kmeissner writes:
RickyLee if they denied the search of the vehicle, wouldn't they just have been arrested anyway? And wouldn't that give the cops probable cause to search the vehicle?
November 18, 2008
9:56 a.m.
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kmeissner writes:
Wow. I always assumed they would shove me in the squad car and make me wait while they brought the dogs in. Thanks for the info! Although you might have just directed me toward a life of crime. If I get pinched I'm going to blame the RMN message boards. It wasn't me, it was RickyLee. haha
November 18, 2008
10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
UNV_ME writes:
Probable cause can be anything. If a cop really wants to search your car... they'll find a way to do it. Lame, I know... but that's how it is. My brother is a police officer in Chicago and I have a few friends on the DPD as well.... "ask for the seargent on duty, and ask. They'll verify."
November 18, 2008
10:13 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Waste of tax money. All of you who back the prohibition of marijuana are hurting our nation in many ways. It is a loose, loose situation when you prohibit marijuana. Please explore the facts about marijuana before believing that it should be illegal.
November 18, 2008
10:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
DontBelieveWhatURead writes:
Just a couple of undocumented pharmacists! Maybe Gov. Bill will give them ag trespass, oh I forgot, the system has the money and resources to prosecute US Citizens.
November 18, 2008
10:18 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
lose, sorry.
November 18, 2008
10:45 a.m.
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RufusTFirefly writes:
I hope they were wearing seatbelts.
November 18, 2008
11:23 a.m.
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Fancy_chance writes:
Here here Freedomfighter 1 - I agree! A really good dvd to see is called "The Magic Weed" it explores the origin, history of this very amazing, useful and versatile plant as well as exposing the myths and propaganda put out by out our govt (pot was not illegal until prohibition ended and the govt lost revenue by legalizing the poisonous and socially acceptable substance know as alcohol). I recommend this movie for anyone thinking this plant should be illegal. It will really enlighten you.
November 18, 2008
11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Zay writes:
Pfft, they didn't go to jail because of the pot, they went to jail because of idiocy.
I support putting people in jail for idiocy.
November 18, 2008
11:42 a.m.
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jbonz writes:
Stoners are a very oppressed group of people in this country. We are demonized, unrepresented, and persecuted for our beliefs. Just like blacks, gays, and other minorities that were attacked in the past (and present for that matter), we have to endure constant harassment from all sectors or our society. We are a legitimate group of people that demands the right to be included in this society and not be labeled a criminal because of our beliefs differ from the mainstream. We are a peaceful group and as varied as we are in our demographic makeup (from old and young to rednecks to hippies to snowboarders to the infirmed) we share a common belief that smoking pot is good. It is good for us, good for our society; and in the case of hemp, good for our environment.
Prohibition of cannabis and the persecution of its users must stop. It is an immoral attack on our culture. It is unacceptable that we live in a constant state of fear due to the unjust laws created to oppress us. No matter what propaganda is thrown at us and no matter how much politicians and police try to criminalize us, we will continue to embrace our herb. It is our sacrament and NO ONE will deny us this right.
November 18, 2008
11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
McGowdog writes:
How much money is 28 lbs of weed worth and how good was it?
Back in the day, that Humboldt County Skunk was mighty fine and mighty expensive.
So if you taxed them say 29%, how much would that be?
The jail time might be cheaper, huh 420 freaks?
These idiots were going the wrong way. They'd probably get more bucks for their weed in Utah than KC. Do you realize booze tax in Utah is about 42% while it's about 2% in Misery? Pokin' smot is probably way cheaper than polishin' off a six-pack in Provo.
November 18, 2008
11:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
chickenlittle1234 writes:
Zay writes - "Pfft, they didn't go to jail because of the pot, they went to jail because of idiocy.
I support putting people in jail for idiocy."
Holy cow, man, our jails are crowded enough!
November 18, 2008
11:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
mmmark217 writes:
Hey, maybe they can argue that the weed was for personal consumption. LOL
November 18, 2008
12:13 p.m.
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McGowdog writes:
$400 per oz??????????? Holy cow! $100 / quarter bag?
Wow! I picked the right millenium to quit pokin' smot!
November 18, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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McGowdog writes:
Hey stupid 420 Hippies!!!!!!!!!!
Since we pay 60 cents per for a pack of smokes, if we legalize it, these kids would get popped for $107,520!!!!!!!!
Still want the stuff legalized???????????
November 18, 2008
12:25 p.m.
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McGowdog writes:
Them cops in Mesa County are gonna mau down this Thanksgiving, huh?
Just sayin'.
November 18, 2008
1:05 p.m.
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ripv writes:
RickyLee you don't know what you're talking about. If you don't consent to a search they will make you wait until they can bring a drug dog out. They can claim the drug dog "alerted" on your car and therefore have probable cause to search it. There's a reason cops aren't lawyers.
November 18, 2008
1:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
chickenlittle1234 writes:
The $400 is retail value.
McGowdog - Yep, it should be legal. That $400/oz (for something other than skank) is because of scarcity. Regulated and taxed, the price may come down (though there is clearly demand at the higher price). You may be right about the Mesa County cops, and their illegal smiles, though.
November 18, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dirtbag writes:
RickyLee,
Be careful what you believe and especially what you try to have other people believe. If your "friends" are police officers and they read this story and tell you that the people could have just refused to have thier vehicle searched and left, then they are wrong. A police dog alerting to the odor of a narcotic is probable cause for the officers to search the vehicle. I like listening to people like you state the law. I assure you that you will be dissapointed if you believe this.
November 18, 2008
2:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
AngelontheSidelines writes:
Boy, now I feel safe without 14 keys of the 'devil' weed on the interstates.
These two were obviously not criminals aside from the possession issue. Why do we keep the drug war going when it does not enhance anyone's safety, does not save anyone's lives, but does put parents, grandparents,grandchildren, and children in jail for a law that big chemical companies hammered (lobbied) through Congress.
The world and our country would be a better place if God's flowers were legalized.
November 18, 2008
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mtn__Gator writes:
RickyLee writes:
28 times 16 times 400 per oz.=$179,200...IF it was top-shelf.
Carry on the equation for taxation;
$179,200 (x) 28% tax rate = $51,968 our government could have made if it was legal.
$51,968 (profit) vs $56,000 (loss per year to jail a person {estimate}) and what did they "really" do to harm me, my family or the community around me?
This doesn't include court costs to convict them either.
I assume each of them will spend more than a year in jail, lets say 5yrs because 28lbs is no joking amount today
5ys (x) $56,000 (per year) (x) 2 people = $560,000 cost to us for a victimless crime.
Ok, anyone want to guess why the government is out of money and has to TAX US more to pay for this kind of "justice." Can we please have a politician who can apply common business sense to government?
November 18, 2008
2:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
McGowdog writes:
""AngelontheSidelines writes:The world and our country would be a better place if God's flowers were legalized.""
Kumbaya, Angel, KumbayfreakingYa!!!!!
November 18, 2008
3:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
BRM writes:
Dave's not here man!
November 18, 2008
3:37 p.m.
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AngelontheSidelines writes:
Obama change,
His biggest change could be ending the drug war. All the funds then could divert to a more worthy area.
November 18, 2008
7:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sundog writes:
Not gonna happen, guys. If it is legalized, the open market will bring it down to under $10 / oz., betcha. It will be a whole new price ball game...no more black market prices.
November 18, 2008
9:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
arcus writes:
If marijuana is legalized I am buying stock in Capin' Crunch