Ottawa County Drug Task Force Seizes

40 Pounds of Marijuana

    As part of a joint investigation involving the Ottawa County Drug Task Force, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agents from Toledo and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the following subjects were arrested for trafficking in marijuana in an amount greater than 20 kilograms, a felony of the second degree: 

Pedro G. Gracia, age 25 of Brownsville, Texas

Justin R. Burchfield, age 23 New Carlisle, Ohio

Ernesto Mata, age 30 of New Carlisle, Ohio 

    After receiving information that the subjects were transporting a large amount of marijuana to northwest Ohio, the vehicle was stopped in the village of Elmore.  An Ohio State Patrol K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.  A subsequent search revealed marijuana hidden inside compartments in two spare tires found in the bed of their pick-up truck. The total amount of marijuana is unknown but is suspected to be over 40 pounds.  All three individuals were incarcerated in the Ottawa County Detention Facility without bond pending their initial appearance in the Ottawa County Municipal Court. 

    There was also a 16 year old male in the vehicle who was turned over to Children Services. Charges against him may be considered pending further investigation.

Justin R. Burchfield

Ernesto Mata

Pedro G Gracia

Photographs of Marijuana Concealed in Spare Tires

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Posted April 16, 2008