A California couple was arrested Thursday night while allegedly transporting about 20 kilos of marijuana on U.S. Interstate 80.
Pedro Luis Cruz-Cruz, 20, of 635 E. Newlove Dr., Santa Maria, California, was charged with controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp and prohibited act by registrant.
Kimberly Yajaira Acosta-Morales, 22, of 645 E. Newlove Dr., Santa Maria, California, was charged with controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp and prohibited act by registrant.
The incident began about 8 p.m. Thursday near the 104 mile marker of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2020 GMC Terrain with California plates following a traffic violation.
According to court records, the trooper “could smell the distinct odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s passenger compartment.”
When the driver, Cruz-Cruz, allegedly “admitted there was marijuana inside of the vehicle,” a probable-cause search was conducted, disclosing “43 pounds of raw marijuana inside of vacuum sealed packaging as well as a large amount of bundled United States currency,” according to court records.
Acosta-Morales allegedly “admitted this was their second trip transporting marijuana to Des Moines from California,” according to court records.
Cruz-Cruz is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance July 10 in Dallas County District Court.
Acosta-Morales is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. She is scheduled to make an initial appearance July 10 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
