3 People From West Virginia Arrested After Stolen Motorcycle Leads California Police To $500K Pot Stash
VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — Police in California arrested three people after a stolen motorcycle led authorities to marijuana with an estimated street value of more than $500,000.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office detective discovered 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of marijuana in an Oxnard hotel Saturday, The Ventura County Star reported.
Police arrested 53-year-old Wendy Gibson-Mills, 31-year-old John Wells and 39-year-old Joshua Posey, all of West Virginia.
The three were arrested on suspicion of felony conspiracy, marijuana possession for sale and possession of stolen vehicle offenses. Posey was also arrested on suspicion of felony firearms violations.
A patrol car with a license plate reader identified a stolen motorcycle, which sheriff's office detectives saw in the rear of a pickup truck.
Police pulled over the truck carrying Wells, Gibson-Mills and Posey and found a loaded handgun. Posey, a parolee, had a holster in his waistband, authorities said.
Police also found about $2,500 in cash and indications of marijuana sales.
Their hotel room contained the large amount of marijuana, additional signs of drug sales and air mail packaging, police said.
All three remained in jail in lieu of bail and were scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court Tuesday. It was not known Monday if they have attorneys.
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