100 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA CONFISCATED IN DRUG BUST

JEFFERSON Marion County officials made two arrests in a drug bust Sunday
morning that led to the confiscation of about 100 pounds of marijuana,
which is worth an estimated $200,000.

Andres Morales, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and Jorge H.
Garcia were charged with aggravated possession of marijuana. They posted
bail and were released from the Marion County Jail on Sunday.

District attorney investigator Bobby Johnson and Jefferson police Sgt.
Donnie Vallery made the stop while running drug interdiction on U.S. 59
near Jefferson.

"We stopped a white Dodge rental car with two white males," Johnson said.
"They had military uniforms hanging in the back, which is something we look
for. Upon questioning the subjects, they appeared nervous and their stories
did not match."

Johnson said the marijuana was top quality and was unusual because of its
packaging, which included the seal of a Mexican drug operation. Johnson
said drugs were being transported from McAllen to a location in North Carolina.

Both suspects will be prosecuted in Marion County by District Attorney
James Finstrom. Moralea's involvement in the Marine Corps Reserve has
sparked an investigation into that end of the operation, Johnson said.