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Traffic stop nets half ton of marijuana

Indiana State Police

A traffic violation ended up being a major drug bust for Indiana State Police in Clinton County Monday.

ISP troopers stopped a pickup at 7:20 p.m. on Interstate 65 near the State Road 28 exit. When the driver's and passenger's stories did not match up, officers became suspicious and called for a K9 officer.

Troopers say the dog "alerted" on the truck and they were given permission to make a search. They uncovered more than 1,000 pounds of suspected marijuana wrapped in 43 cellophane bundles.

The street value of one pound of marijuana is approximately $1,000 with the total price of the marijuana being approximately $1,000,000.  Detectives are still investigating the matter.

Johnny Mark Russell, 34 years old from Beech Grove, IN, and Armando Herrera, 20 years old from Indianapolis, IN, were taken to Clinton County Jail and charged with Possession of Marijuana over ten pounds a Class D Felony and Dealing Marijuana over ten pounds a Class C Felony.  Bond for each suspect is $22,000.