OSHP finds 28 pounds of suspected gift-wrapped marijuana

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A Washington man is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 28 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $63,000, after a traffic stop in Clark County.

According to a patrol press release, troopers stopped a rented 2011 Chevrolet Cruze for a driving-under-suspension violation on Interstate 70 about 1:20 p.m., Monday. The renter of the vehicle was not present and at the request of the rental company the vehicle was being towed for safe keeping.

During an administrative inventory, drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle’s glove box. A probable-cause search revealed additional drug paraphernalia in the trunk and a gift-wrapped package containing 25 individually wrapped packages of marijuana.

The driver, Robert A. Gomez, 35, of Bremerton, Wash., was charged with trafficking and possession of marijuana, both third-degree felonies, possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony, and driving under suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He was placed in the Clark County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to 21 years in prison and up to a $43,500 fine.