LYMAN COUNTY - A Washington man was arrested for transporting 50 pounds of marijuana on Interstate 90 in Lyman County.
On the evening of Feb. 17, a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper was parked along the interstate and, as a vehicle with a Washington license plate passed, the driver "looked at me with a startled look, then snapped his head back forward when we made eye contact," according to court documents.
The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Aaron Beach, of Spokane, Washington, proceeded to speed up his vehicle so the officer performed a traffic stop.
While the trooper issued a warning for speeding, Beach allegedly acted "overly nervous" and apologetic.
When the trooper advised Beach he was going to search the vehicle, Beach became frantic and said he was "going to jail" because there were 50 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle, according to court documents.
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A subsequent search revealed approximately 50 pounds of marijuana and 2 ounces of THC oil.
Beach was arrested for possessing more than 10 pounds of marijuana, possession of more than 1 pound of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
If convicted of all charges, the maximum sentence Beach could receive would be up to 45 years in prison and an $80,000 fine.
