Found during traffic stop for equipment violation on Tuesday night
If you've never seen 500 pounds of marijuana, then here's what it looks like. Quincy police found the narcotics during a traffic stop on Tuesday night.
/ Photo by Melissa Shriver
QUINCY, IL -- Two people are behind bars tonight after Quincy police found them transporting a quarter ton of marijuana.
Police arrested 32-year-old Jose Cabrales of Mexico and 44-year-old Susan Howard of Utah on charges of cannabis trafficking.
Quincy police happened upon the biggest drug bust the department has ever seen thanks to an equipment violation.
It was a broken rear license plate light that got the attention of Quincy police Tuesday night.
But when police approached the GMC Yukon at 3rd and York, they quickly found there was much more to this routine traffic stop.
"We contacted the driver and occupants," QPD Lt. Jason Simmons said. "There were indicators from their behavior that led the officer to believe it was more than just an equipment violation. This resulted in a canine sniff, which resulted in the location of the drugs."
Police found more than 500 pounds of marijuana inside the SUV. Police believe the drugs were from New Mexico traveling to New York state.
Are you surprised you were able to make this kind of a seizure in Quincy?
"Yes it does. We don't see this type of activity...to my knowledge this is the largest seizure," Lt. Simmons said.
The female driver's young child was riding in the back of the car next to the marijuana.
The DCFS now has custody of the child
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