2 related traffic stops in Lake Township net more than $4 million in marijuana

The drugs, weighing 907 pounds and worth $4,117,780, according to the Highway Patrol.

Millions of dollars worth of marijuana was found during two related traffic stops in Lake Township, troopers said.

The drugs, weighing 907 pounds and worth $4,117,780, according to the Highway Patrol, were found Wednesday morning.

A trooper reported seeing a Subaru on the Ohio Turnpike driving too closely behind a motor home. The motor home was also following too closely behind the vehicle in front of it, officials said.

At 9:04 a.m, the trooper tried to stop both vehicles, but only the Subaru stopped. During the stop, the trooper smelled marijuana and saw drugs on the driver's pants, officials said.

During a search of the vehicle, the trooper found $9,720 in cash.

As the investigation continued, officials determined that the motor home and the Subaru were traveling together. The motor home was found at 9:33 a.m. at a service plaza on the turnpike.

Troopers stopped the occupants of the motor home and smelled marijuana. During a vehicle search, they found the 907 pounds of marijuana and $4,188 in cash.

The two stops netted five arrests.

In the Subaru were Frankie Junior Layz, 22, and William Luciano, Jr., 33, both of Rochester, New York; in the motor home were Justin Gould, 27, of Rochester, Jimmy Pross, Jr., 35, of Charlotte, and Jose Manzanares, 36, of Houston. All are being held in the Wood County jail and are charged with possession of marijuana, trafficking in marijuana, money laundering, and possession of criminal tools.

A sixth suspect, with his 7-year-old son, fled when troopers stopped the motor home. The suspect has been identified, though his name was not released. Troopers said the suspect plans to turn himself in.