Two men are in the Josephine County Jail in south-central Oregon after state police troopers say they found over 200 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle.
About 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18th, an OSP Trooper was on patrol along Interstate 5 near the city of Merlin when he stopped a 2017 Ford Explorer for speeding. “During the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal conduct and searched the vehicle following a roadside investigation.,” said OSP spokesman Capt. Bill Fugate.
“During the search, 201 pounds of packaged marijuana was discovered in the vehicle. It was learned the driver, Pandy Hout, 29, from Shakopee, Minnesota and Lor Meng, 28, from Sacramento, California had flown into the Medford Airport from Denver, Colorado and rented the Ford Explorer. They then traveled to an unknown location in California and acquired the marijuana. It was believed they were transporting the marijuana to Minnesota,” Fugate explained.
Hout and Meng were arrested for importing/exporting marijuana (over sixteen pounds across state lines), possession of marijuana (person over 21 years of age and over 8 pounds in public place), and unlawful delivery of marijuana (over sixteen pounds with intent to distribute). All are Class C felonies.
Police did not release any further information.