Saturday, Sep. 29, 2012

DUI check finds 25 pounds of pot

A motorist who attempted to drive through a DUI checkpoint was arrested after police said officers discovered 25 pounds of marijuana in his car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Saturday at 11:55 p.m., a motorist attempted to drive a 2006 silver Lexus through a DUI checkpoint at the intersection of Highway 152 and Iowa Street, a CHP news release stated.

An officer reportedly stopped the vehicle and detected a strong odor of marijuana as he approached the driver-side window.

The officer looked inside the vehicle and observed 25 bags of marijuana, weighing one pound each, the news release stated.

The driver, Lam Khanhduc Nguyen, 31, of San Jose, was placed under arrest on suspicion of transporting marijuana for sale and possession of marijuana for sale.

Nguyen is free on bail, according to officials at the Merced County Jail.

Enterprise reporter Corey Pride can be reached by phone at 388-6563, or by e-mail at cpride@losbanosenterprise.com.