NEW BUFFALO, Ind. — Score one for Rico.
The police dog, one of two used by the Berrien County Sheriff's Department for searches, tracks and drug detection, has been credited with sniffing out 51 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of an auto stopped Saturday on Interstate 94 near New Buffalo.
The driver was identified as a 37-year-old Grand Rapids man. He was lodged in the Berrien County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug vehicle.
Police said Deputy Jason Haskins stopped the man's auto about 5:30 p.m. on eastbound I-94 for failure to signal a lane change. After the motorist consented to the search, the dog turned up the drugs in the auto's trunk, police said.
The drugs had been stashed inside three garbage bags, officers reported. They said the marijuana has a street value of $51,000.
Seized in addition were the auto, a 1997 Toyota Camry, as well as a cell phone and $66 cash.
Police said Haskins and another deputy, Marc Hopkins, completed on May 30 a five-week dog handler school with Rico and a second new multi-purpose dog. The seizure was Rico's first, police said.
Haskins was assisted in the arrest by an officer from the Chikaming Township Police Department.