Troopers conducting a sobriety checkpoint in Clay County arrested an Oregon man and a Kentucky man after finding more than 40 pounds of marijuana in their car.
The THP said John Giudici and Rahman Thiel fled after making an illegal U-turn to avoid the checkpoint on State Route 53.
They were arrested after a brief pursuit. The men insisted a small amount of marijuana found in the front of their Chevy Tahoe was the only contraband in the vehicle. Troopers found 44.77 pounds of marijuana and $4,289 in cash.
Giudici, of Jacksonville, Ore., was charged with turning on the curve or crest of a grade, possession for resale/manufacture and delivery, possession of drug paraphernalia and evading arrest. Thiel, of Burkesville, Ky., was charged with possession for resale/manufacture and delivery.
Celina Police and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation.