Clinton County- Yesterday at approximately 7:20 p.m, Indiana State Police stopped a pickup truck for a traffic violation on I-65 southbound near the 157 mile marker and located over 1,000 pounds of suspected marijuana in the bed of the pickup.

Preliminary investigation revealed the white 2009 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup driven by Johnny Mark Russell, 34 years old from Beech Grove, IN, was stopped for a minor traffic violation.  While talking separately to the driver and the passenger, Armando Herrera, 20 years old from Indianapolis, IN, their stories were not matching up.  The troopers became suspicious and requested a K-9 officer.  The dog alerted on the truck and consent was given by the occupants and over 1,000 pounds of suspected marijuana was found under the tarp that covered the bed of the truck.  The suspected marijuana was wrapped in 43 cellophane bundles.  The street value of one pound of marijuana is approximately $1,000.00 with the total price of the marijuana being approximately $1,000,000.00.  The investigation is continuing.

Both Russell and Herrera were taken to Clinton County Jail and charged with Possession of Marijuana over 10 pounds a Class D Felony and Dealing Marijuana over 10 pounds a Class C Felony.  Bond for each suspect is $22,000.00.  Assisting at the scene were troopers from the Lafayette Post and the Indianapolis Post.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.