3 held on $1 million bonds after turnpike drug arrests

4/30/2010

The driver of the vehicle, Richard H. Weaver, 34, of Elmsford, N.Y., and two passengers, David A. Valentini, 33, of Naples, Fla., and Robert P. Weaver, 26, of Toms River, N.J. were each charged with trafficking in marijuana and possession of marijuana, both second-degree felonies. They were arraigned in Maumee Municipal Court and ordered held in the Lucas County jail pending their next court appearance May 6.

Troopers stopped a 2007 Gulfstream 28-foot motor home, with Pennsylvania registration, for a marked lanes violation on the Turnpike near milepost 57 at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday. A patrol drug-sniffing dog then led troopers to 238 pounds of hydroponic marijuana hidden in the vehicle, the post said.

If convicted, the men would each face up to 16 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.