A traffic stop on Interstate 75 in Marion County led to the arrest of a 26-year-old man after Florida Highway Patrol troopers found over 150 pounds of marijuana inside his rental U-Haul van.
On Tuesday, August 8, an FHP trooper observed a U-Haul van commit multiple traffic violations along northbound I-75, just south of County Road 326, in Marion County. After the trooper activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, the U-Haul van continued traveling on I-75 until the driver, later identified as Zachary John Dubose, stopped the vehicle on an exit ramp, according to the FHP report.
After a second trooper arrived on scene with a K-9 partner, the trooper who initiated the traffic stop approached the U-Haul van and made contact with Dubose. The trooper noted in the report that Dubose appeared to be nervous and was breathing heavily.
Dubose followed the trooper’s instructions and exited the van. The second trooper’s K-9 partner conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle’s exterior and gave a positive alert to the presence of drugs.
After Dubose was detained in an FHP patrol vehicle, the first trooper approached the van and noted in the report that it had a “strong odor of marijuana.” During a search of the rear cargo area of the van, the trooper observed several pieces of old furniture, a used mattress, and old toys.
The FHP report stated that an inflatable mattress box was located near the front of the cargo area. Inside the box, the trooper found several containers of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes. Additionally, 10 large brown moving boxes were found along the front wall of the cargo area, and they contained several vacuum sealed plastic bags that were filled with a substance that field-tested positive for marijuana.
The total weight of the recovered marijuana was 151 pounds.
After being read his Miranda rights, Dubose refused to answer any questions. He was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $47,000 bond.
Dubose is facing felony charges for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, trafficking of marijuana in excess of 25 pounds or 300 plants, keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity, possessing a vehicle known for trafficking drugs, and possession of marijuana over 20 grams. In addition, he is facing a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.