Three men from the Buffalo, N.Y., area were arrested Friday evening for allegedly possessing marijuana at a West Des Moines motel.
Eamon Kenneth O’Brien, 18, of 8922 Old Post Road E., East Amherst, N.Y., was charged with first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Prayer Birasa Munana, 18, of 19 Lilly Ridge Dr., East Amhert, N.Y., was charged with first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Alexander Whitbeck, 18, of 31 Edge Park Ave., Buffalo, N.Y., was charged with first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The incident began about 8:15 p.m. Friday in the 7200 block of Vista Drive in West Des Moines, where the New Yorkers “came into contact with law enforcement,” according to court records.
A search of their vehicles and rooms by officers of the West Des Moines Police Department disclosed “marijuana and a bong,” a “THC vape cartridge” and “a pipe,” according to court records.
O’Brien, Munana and Whitbeck were held in the Dallas County Jail prior to their release. A hearing will be scheduled in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until and unless proven guilty.
High praise is due for such splendid police work. Indeed, every effort should be made to pay off the new Dallas County Jail even if that includes popping eastbound, out-of-state drug mules as they pass through. Why should it matter that the only business they have in Iowa is lodging and dining? Besides, they are high-maintenance travelers. They may have even relieved themselves at an Iowa rest stop on our dime. We simply can’t have that. How dare they? Anyway, I think I have thought up a good money-making opportunity for the state. If out-of-state drug mules want to pass through, allow them to stop at designated Iowa DOT stations and pay 5% of the Colorado purchase price for an Iowa drug stamp. Iowa would stand to make more money from the increased volume of mules who voluntarily declare their intention in order to legally transit the interstates passing through Iowa. That would be a better arrangement for all.
Besides any benefits legalization of marijuana might have, it’s an atrocity to be so mean and evil to people who use it. This news just makes me sad for how evil our society has become.