A Wisconsin woman was arrested on U.S. Interstate 80 in Dallas County Tuesday afternoon while allegedly transporting a large quantity of marijuana.
Margaret Michelle Gnewikow, 52, of 1710 La Crescent St., #1, La Crosse, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, tax stamp violation and prohibited acts.
The incident began about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday near the 110 mile marker of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper allegedly observed two traffic violations by a 2019 GMC Yukon with New Mexico plates.
The trooper initiated a traffic stop and found the vehicle driven by Gnewikow.
According to court records, the trooper “observed the entire back of the SUV was full with duffel bags and boxes, with the second and third row seats folded down.”
While conducting enforcement action for the observed traffic violations a The trooper’s K9 “conducted a free air sniff” of the Yukon and “gave a positive indication to the presence of the odor of narcotics.”
A probable-cause search of the vehicle ensued, according to court records, disclosing about “130 pounds of raw marijuana and 71 pounds of THC vape cartridges concealed in the duffel bags.”
Gnewikow told the trooper that “she was transporting the marijuana and THC cartridges to Wisconsin for a family member from California,” according to court records.
Gnewikow is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond. She is scheduled for arraignment March 20 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
“2019 GMC Yukon with New Mexico plates” heading east screams “Rental with Weed” to any LEO 😉