BOSTON TOWNSHIP – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers filed felony drug charges against three Ohio men after a traffic stop in Summit County. During the traffic stop, troopers seized 48 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $192,000.
On February 12, 2018, at 9:05 a.m., troopers stopped a 2014 Honda Accord with Ohio registration for a following too close violation on Interstate 80 near milepost 175. Criminal indicators were observed and a Patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 43 pounds of marijuana, 2 pounds of solid hash, 3 pounds of marijuana edibles and 950 milliliters of liquid codeine.
The suspect, Nathan Grootegoed, 22, of Hudson, Dante Petrus, 20, of Poland, and Marcus Carpenter, 21, of Cuyahoga Falls were incarcerated in the Summit County Jail and charged with possession and trafficking in marijuana, both second-degree felonies and possession and trafficking in hash, both third-degree felonies.
If convicted, each could face up to 26 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.