Troopers confiscate marijuana, pills, meth and more during trio of traffic stops
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Monday was a busy evening for Arkansas State Police as troopers confiscated large quantities of marijuana and other narcotics in a series of highway traffic stops.
According to a release by ASP, troopers seized 340 pounds of marijuana across two traffic stops as well as illegal narcotics and a gun in a third stop, with the alleged perpetrators being booked into three different detention centers across the state.
The first stop was on Interstate 40 East. Officials said troopers found 240 pounds of marijuana in a car driven by 70-year-old Maul Magda of New Jersey. Maga was booked into the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility, officials said, and is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance with the purpose to deliver.
Marijuana seized Feb. 5, 2024 in a traffic stop by Arkansas State Police Troop A Marijuana seized Feb. 5, 2024 in a traffic stop by Arkansas State Police Troop A
Hours later, officials said a trooper stopped a car on Interstate 40 East near the 189-mile marker. Officials said troopers found 100 pounds of marijuana inside a car driven by 51-year-old Lawrence Allende of California. Allende was booked into the Prarie County Detention Center and is facing a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, according to officials.
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Officials also said a trooper stopped a driver on Highway 165 and found 32 grams of crack cocaine, two fentanyl pills, 25 grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of marijuana and a gun. The 56-year-old driver of the car, Gregory Stewart of England, Arkansas, was booked into the Lonoke County Detention Center.
Authorities said Stewart is facing charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of firearms by certain persons, possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver and possession of a Schedule I or II substance with the purpose to deliver.
ASP Colonel Mike Hagar said the arrests demonstrate the agency’s commitment to the community.
“We are obviously pleased when we can prevent hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs and weapons from entering our communities because even small amounts of illegal drugs have the potential to destroy Arkansas families,” Hagar said. “These seizures are a testament to ASP’s unwavering commitment to keeping Arkansas safe for law-abiding citizens.”
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