RICHLAND, GA – The DEA is getting involved in a pretty big drug seizure for a small town police department.
Richland Police seized 15-pounds of marijuana during a road block over the Labor Day weekend.
Investigators think the suspect was headed to Albany to sell the pot.
"We were conducting a driver's license check point on Georgia Highway 520 along with Georgia State Patrol Post 39 out of Cuthbert," said Richland Police Officer Mike Rouse.
The Labor Day travel period was probably not the best time to be making a haul of this size.
53-year-old Anthony Raleigh would learn just that when he pulled up to the road block.
"He was unable to produce a driver's license. At that time we ran his driver's license and it came back suspended," said Rouse.
A search of the car revealed a large Walgreens bag but that couldn't hide the potent aroma.
"We could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. He initially denied having any in the car," said Rouse.
Hidden in the bag was a large brick of weed and 5 large ziplock bags packed with marijuana.
Its estimated street value is between $20,000 and $30,000.
According to the Department of Corrections, Raleigh has been in and out prison 7 times since 1979. And there is a strong suspicion the Albany resident was bringing the haul back home to sell.
"There's a very good chance he was heading that direction as he came through our check point," said Rouse. "With the packaging material that was found in the vehicle, the vacuum that he was preparing to break down, especially the large brick there, to possibly distribute it," he said.
Because of the amount of marijuana, Raleigh is charged with trafficking and driving on a suspended license.
He's being held in the Sumter County Jail.
Raleigh's last stint in prison was in 2002 when he finished a 2-year sentence for marijuana and cocaine possession.
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