Speeding Stop Leads to Big Pot Bust

A spokesman for the Wyoming Highway Patrol says a routine speeding stop led to the seizure of 23 pounds of high-grade marijuana on U.S. Highway 27 Monday.

Sgt. Steve Townsend says troopers stopped a pickup driven by 38 year old William Ritter of Virginia about 6 miles south of Laramie for exceeding the posted speed limit of 65 miles per hour. Townsend says while conducting the stop, troopers smelled marijuana and could also see some of the weed in plain view in the cab of the pickup. Townsend says a further search turned up user amounts of pot as well as paraphernelia, including a pipe, grinder and scales.

Townsend says a further search led to the discovery of a false bed of the pickup, eventually leading to the location of 23 pounds of marijuna in 22 individually sealed bags. Ritter has been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance in plant form, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. If convicted on all charges, Ritter could fax up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.