361 Pounds of Pot Seized Along I-70 Near St. Elmo

A second drug seizure this week recovered 361 pounds of cannabis along I-70 near St. Elmo.

An Illinois State Police trooper stopped a RV for traffic violations at 1:44pm Wednesday, and the pot was discovered.

The driver, 34-year-old Christian Peralta Martinez of Miranda, California, and a passenger, 33-year-old Shawn Hulsey of Leggett, California, were each charged with cannabis trafficking. Both were being held at last report in Fayette County Jail. The Fayette County State's Attorney's Office and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.

The stop and the drug recovery followed by one day a stop near Effingham on Tuesday where close to 72 pounds of cannabis was seized.

The 432 pounds of cannabis seized had a street value ot $1,080,000.