253 Pounds of Pot Seized in Highway Bust

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A Montana Highway Patrol trooper who stopped a van for speeding through a construction zone near Bozeman ended up finding 253 pounds of marijuana packed in six duffel bags.

Two California women — Xiao Meng Ma and Lan Luo — face federal charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. They were scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday in Missoula.

Prosecutors allege Ma was driving 51 mph in a 35 mph zone late Saturday when Trooper Dan Amundson pulled her over. He noticed a faint odor of marijuana and saw the duffel bags. Court records say both Ma and Luo said the bags belonged to Luo and both gave consent to search the vehicle.

Officers also found a "significant" amount of cash in the glove box.