A 41-year-old man, Mahdi Ishmael J. Alston, was released from the Beckham County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond after being charged with trafficking illegal marijuana.

The investigation began on December 8 when an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) agent observed a vehicle traveling east on Interstate 40 near mile-marker 10 in Beckham County. The vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, exited into a rest area without using its turn signal, prompting the agent to initiate a traffic stop about a mile down the road.

During the stop, the agent noticed the Tahoe’s cargo area contained cardboard boxes covered with black cloth. Suspicious of the situation, the OBN agent called for a K-9 unit to conduct a sniff test. Meanwhile, Alston’s explanation regarding his rental vehicle reportedly did not add up.

The K-9 unit’s inspection allegedly led to the discovery of 120 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle, resulting in Alston’s arrest and subsequent charge.