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Traffic stop leads to $679K marijuana bust in Rapides Parish
RAPIDES PARISH, La. (WNTZ) - A traffic stop led to the siezure of approximately 150 pounds of high-grade marijuana valued at $679,000, according to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit.
A K-9 deputy with the RADE Unit's Highway Interdiction Team initiated the stop Thursday on a red Toyota Tacoma for a minor traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana. The driver, identified as John Michael Grezik, 37, of Florida, was asked to exit the vehicle for further investigation.
The deputy deployed his drug detection dog, Beny, who alerted to the presence of narcotics in the truck bed. With Grezik's consent, the deputy lifted the bed cover, revealing six large black trash bags. A physical inspection found that each bag contained vacuum-sealed packages of high-grade marijuana.
Grezik was arrested without incident and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on charges of following too closely, having an open container, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was released Saturday on a $150,200 bond.
RADE agents responded to assist with the investigation and confirmed the marijuana's weight and estimated retail value.
The RADE Unit is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprising the Alexandria Police Department, Ball Police Department, Boyce Police Department, Cheneyville Police Department, Forest Hill Police Department, Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lecompte Police Department, McNary Police Department, Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Woodworth Police Department, Grant Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.