MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D Headquarters - 3131 East Kearney - Springfield, MO 65803


NEWS ALERT

For further information please contact: Sgt. D.S. Bracker
417-895-6767 ext.253
D2010-04
February 3, 2010

EMPHASIS: Drug Seizure, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop D.

On February 1, 2010, an eastbound Kia-Soul was stopped by a state trooper for speeding on Interstate 44, at the 82-mile marker, in Greene County. After discovering several indicators of suspected criminal activity, consent to search the vehicle was requested by the trooper, but denied. A canine responded to the scene with a positive alert on the vehicle. A roadside search revealed 40 pounds of marijuana located in a duffle bag inside the passenger compartment.
The driver, Mark A. Leon, of El Paso, TX, was arrested for felony possession of marijuana, and transported to Greene County Sheriff's Office.
The charge for which the above person was arrested is mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the above charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.