Marijuana worth a half million found on Ohio Turnpike

2/21/2012

Jimmy Yat Man Lau, left, and Ming Song Sun.

Two California men were arraigned in Maumee Municipal Court Tuesday morning, facing drug trafficking charges, for allegedly transporting about 100 pounds of hydroponic marijuana along the turnpike.

Ming Song Sun, 38, of Oakland, Calif., and Jimmy Yat Man Lau, 38, of Alameda, Calif., were each charged with possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana, after they were stopped Monday morning by State Highway Patrol troopers.

Troopers said they stopped a 2001 Freight liner Commercial Semi Tractor, which was pulling a Walbash Box Trailer, both with California registration, for a marked-lanes violation at about 10:58 a.m. Monday on the Ohio Turnpike, near Maumee.

Troopers said the men gave authorities consent to search the trailer, where they said they found nine large boxes of hydroponic marijuana along with a legitimate load.

The 100 pounds of drugs has an estimated value of $500,000, troopers said.

Both men are being held in the Lucas County jail. Although they were both arraigned by video Tuesday morning, arraignments were continued until Thursday. Bonds were not set. Mr. Sun, the driver, was appointed a public defender, according to court documents.

If the men are convicted on all charges, they could face up to 16 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine.