An Illinois man was arrested on U.S. Interstate 80 in Dallas County Tuesday night for allegedly transporting marijuana.
Shadarake Niyonkuru, 23, of 838 19th St., Rock Island, Illinois, was charged with controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp and keeping premises or vehicle for controlled substance violation.
The incident began about 10 p.m. Tuesday near the 104 mile marker of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper stopped a 2017 Ford Fusion “for several violations,” according to court records.
The trooper made contact with the driver, Niyonkuru, and allegedly “smelled the distinct odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s passenger compartment” and saw smoke “billowing from the vehicle,” according to court records.
The trooper also allegedly “observed raw marijuana residue sprinkled on the center console, raw marijuana residue in the center console cubby and burnt marijuana roaches sitting in a cup holder in the center console,” according to court records.
A probable-cause search of the vehicle allegedly disclosed in a backpack “a digital scale and vacuum-sealer packaging material, along with marijuana inside of a bag of vacuum-sealed package” and “a package of THC concentrate,” according to court records.
In the trunk was allegedly found a “box containing 5 vacuum-sealed packages containing raw marijuana that contained little notes inside indicating their type,” and in a pocket of Niyonkuru’s coat was allegedly found “a large bundle of US currency,” according to court records.
Niyokuru allegedly “admitted the marijuana belonged to him.”
Niyonkuru is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $12,000 cash or surety bond in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
