Highway patrol: About 500 pounds of marijuana seized in traffic stop

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- About 500 pounds of marijuana was discovered in a tractor-trailer over the weekend after officers became suspicious of the driver.

Around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a northbound tractor-trailer on Interstate 57 in Mississippi County for a traffic violation.

During the course of the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious and permission to search was granted by the driver, Angelo Rogers, 41, of Markham, Ill. During the search of the trailer unit, about 500 pounds of marijuana were found behind the load, according to a news release from the patrol.

The driver also had a loaded semiautomatic pistol. Rogers was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and unlawful use of a weapon, the patrol reported.

Pertinent address:

Charleston, MO