7 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized During Traffic Stop, JCSO Says

JOHNSTON COUNTY – Two people were busted for marijuana possession during a traffic stop outside of Kenly. Around 10:10am Tuesday, Sept. 26 a deputy sheriff was on routine patrol on Highway 42 near Highway 222, in the Stancil’s Chapel community.

The officer got behind a BMW passenger car with a California license plate and observed an equipment violation.

The deputy turned on his blue lights to stop the vehicle. The driver did not immediately pull over, but did come to a stop on Crocker’s Nub Road.

Deputies said the driver and passenger were extremely nervous. Several large moving boxes were in the back seat.

During a search of the car, smaller boxes were found inside the large moving boxes. Inside the smaller boxes, officers allegedly found approximately seven pounds of suspected marijuana.

Officers said they seized; marijuana, four cell phones, and cash, that were found inside the vehicle.

The driver, Jose Del Ayala-Pantoja, age 31, of Kent, Washington and passenger, Jesus Barajas-Alejandres, age 49, of Sunnyside, Washington, were charged with felony possession of marijuana and felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana.

Both men were booked into the Johnston County Detention Center under $20,000 secured bonds.