I-5 speeding stop leads to 201 pounds of marijuana, 2 arrests

Oregon State Police stopped a speeding SUV driver on Interstate 5 in southern Oregon last week and found more than 200 pounds of packaged marijuana inside, arresting the driver and a passenger, troopers said Tuesday.

The trooper stopped a 2017 Ford Explorer near Merlin for speeding around 5:30 p.m. last Wednesday and during the stop became suspicious of criminal conduct and searched the vehicle, said OSP Captain Bill Fugate. The search turned up 201 pounds of packaged marijuana, he said.

An investigation determined the driver, Pandy Hout, 29, of Shakopee, Minnesota, and Lor Meng, 28, of Sacramento, had flown into the Medford Airport from Denver and rented the SUV, the trooper said.

They then traveled to an unknown location in California and acquired the marijuana. Fugate said it was believed they were taking the marijuana to Minnesota.

Hout and Meng were booked into the Josephine County Jail and charged with three Class C felonies — import/export of over 16 pounds of marijuana over state lines, possessing more than eight pounds of marijuana in a public place, and unlawful delivery of more than 16 pounds with intent to distribute.

As a reminder on what’s legal when it comes to marijuana use and possession in Oregon, please visit http://whatslegaloregon.com/