Crime & Safety
Police Bust Teen for Possession of Potted Marijuana Plants
The Pelham Police Department reported arresting a teenager who had marijuana plants in pots in his car.
PELHAM, AL - Pelham police officers arrested a teenager after a routine traffic stop led to several the discovery of several potted marijuana plants located in the back of the suspect's truck. The driver, Rodrigo Lopez-De Leija, 18, is charged with drug trafficking, and was taken to Shelby County Jail where his bond is set at $250,000.
Police had originally stopped the vehicle around 11 p.m. Tuesday night because the truck had inoperable taillights. The report states that the officer smelled what he thought was marijuana, and he uncovered the plants under a blanket in the back of the truck. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)
According to police reports, the weight of the plants was approximately 7.5 pounds, and the estimated street value of the drugs is about $22,000.
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(Photo from the Shelby County Sheriff's Department)
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