COVERT TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Michigan State Police officials say over $1 million dollars worth of meth was discovered in a vehicle during a routine traffic stop last week in Van Buren County. The 50 kilograms they seized is being called the largest meth bust in recent history in the entire state of Michigan.
The vehicle was stopped on Friday, June 4th at around 4:45 p.m.. on northbound I-196 near mile marker 13 in Covert Township. The reason for the stop was an expired out-of-state license plate from Georgia.
This is the largest amount seized by the Michigan State Police in the Fifth District and largest, in recent history, from a traffic stop in the State of Michigan. A complete search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of approximately 50 kilograms of crystal methamphetamines wrapped in 51 different packages. The estimated street value is more than $1 million.
“In recent years, drug overdoses were killing more people than car crashes and crystal methamphetamine was contributing to those numbers. This seizure should be a somber reminder of the magnitude of the ever-increasing threat we are facing,” according to F/Lt. Richard Pazder, MSP Regional Commander of Southwest Michigan Enforcement Team (SWET). Additionally, narcotics trafficking organizations have changed the overall drug landscape in Michigan. As little as five years ago, methamphetamine production happened in much smaller quantities, being produced at the local level by clandestine laboratory operators with knowledge of drug production. Now, nearly all the methamphetamine that is seized is suspected of being tied to foreign or multi-national drug cartels. These cartels have flooded the drug market with a low-cost, potentially lethal drug that is highly addictive and increasingly easy to obtain.”
The driver, a 30-year-old female from California, was arrested and lodged for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamines and resisting and obstructing an officer. The passenger, a 34-year-old male from Mexico, was arrested and lodged for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamines and providing false information to a police officer. Both are being held at the Van Buren County Jail. Their identities are being withheld pending arraignment.
