ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
State police seized 15 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $80,000 Sunday from a car on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County.
Sgt. H.F. Wray said Trooper G.R. Meredith stopped the car about two miles south of the Virginia 177 exit to Radford for a traffic violation: an air freshener obstructing the driver's view.
The driver, Francis Alexander, was identified as a resident alien migrant worker from the West Indies who lives part of the year in Florida and part in Roanoke. His age was difficult to determine because three separate identification cards listed three different dates of birth, but Wray said he thinks he is 41.
Wray said the state trooper detected a strong odor he thought was marijuana after he stopped the car and asked for Alexander's permission to search it. Meredith called in a drug-sniffing dog, which detected several containers on the floor of the back seat.
State police charged Alexander with possession with intent to distribute more than 5 pounds of marijuana and transporting more than 5 pounds of marijuana into the state. Wray said each charge carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Alexander is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail. State police notified the Immigration and Naturalization Service about his arrest.
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