At approximately 8 a.m. on July 1, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup, near the 187-mile marker of I-44, for a traffic violation.
After further investigation, the trooper asked and received consent from the driver to search his vehicle. The subsequent search revealed approximately 500 pounds of marijuana concealed in the vehicle.
The driver, Jorge Gonzalezmadrid, 34, of Albuquerque, NM, was arrested for first degree drug trafficking.
After being taken into custody, the suspect was released to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA continued the investigation and will seek federal drug charges against Gonzalezmadrid.
In addition to the DEA, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted in this investigation by the Rolla Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the South Central Drug Task Force.
The charge for which Gonzalezmadrid was arrested is mere accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.