Yesterday, troopers from the Trafficking North Unit, NJSP K-9 Unit, K-9 Katie, and members of a DEA task force seized a crate containing 375 pounds of marijuana from a Chevrolet cargo van in Clifton.
At 10 a.m., detectives were conducting intelligence checks for suspicious or criminal activity and homeland security checks at a shipping facility in Elizabeth when they identified suspicious wooden crate. While conducting checks on the crate, detectives observed Michael Herbert, 53, of Philadelphia, P.A. arrived at the facility and pick up the crate.
Troopers followed Herbert from the facility onto the northbound New Jersey Turnpike and then eventually onto southbound State Highway 3 where they conducted a car stop.
As a result of the investigation, New Jersey State Police K-9 Katie was called to assist.
During the sniff, she alerted to the presence of drugs. Troopers then searched the van and seized the wooden crate, which contained 375 pounds of what some people call, “the devil’s lettuce.” We call it marijuana.
Michael Herbert was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
He was lodged at the Union County Jail in lieu of $350,000 with 10%.