TEXAS - A trucker pulled over in Beeville last year for a defective mud flap told troopers he was heading to Indiana to drop off a load of frozen vegetables.
But his bill of laden said he was to drop the shipment off in Illinois.
The discrepancy led to a search of the vehicle and the discovery of 697 pounds of marijuana hidden among the frozen carrots, peas and broccoli.
District Court Judge Joel Johnson sentenced Thomas Garfield Steward Jr. of Arlington, Texas, to eight years in prison on Wednesday.
Steward, 50, was indicted on a charge of possessing between 50 pounds and 2,000 pounds of marijuana, a second degree felony offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
According to court documents, Troopers Jason Galvan and Jazmin Garcia pulled Steward's 18-wheeler over on U.S. 59 on April 28, 2009, just north of Beeville because of a defective mud flap.
Galvan said Steward appeared nervous and didn't know where he was heading to.
The troopers searched the refrigerated trailer and found six cellophane wrapped bundles of marijuana hidden among the cardboard boxes of veggies.
Steward agreed to waive his right to a trial by jury and accepted a plea bargain that called for him to admit his guilt in exchange for a lighter sentence.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: mySouTex.com
Author: Scott Reese Willey
Contact: mySouTex.com-
Copyright: 2010 mySouTex.com
Website: - Marijuana smuggler sentenced to prison
But his bill of laden said he was to drop the shipment off in Illinois.
The discrepancy led to a search of the vehicle and the discovery of 697 pounds of marijuana hidden among the frozen carrots, peas and broccoli.
District Court Judge Joel Johnson sentenced Thomas Garfield Steward Jr. of Arlington, Texas, to eight years in prison on Wednesday.
Steward, 50, was indicted on a charge of possessing between 50 pounds and 2,000 pounds of marijuana, a second degree felony offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
According to court documents, Troopers Jason Galvan and Jazmin Garcia pulled Steward's 18-wheeler over on U.S. 59 on April 28, 2009, just north of Beeville because of a defective mud flap.
Galvan said Steward appeared nervous and didn't know where he was heading to.
The troopers searched the refrigerated trailer and found six cellophane wrapped bundles of marijuana hidden among the cardboard boxes of veggies.
Steward agreed to waive his right to a trial by jury and accepted a plea bargain that called for him to admit his guilt in exchange for a lighter sentence.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: mySouTex.com
Author: Scott Reese Willey
Contact: mySouTex.com-
Copyright: 2010 mySouTex.com
Website: - Marijuana smuggler sentenced to prison
