Six lbs. of marijuana found during traffic stop

Three Minnesota residents face felony charges in Crook County related to a large amount of marijuana that was allegedly found in their vehicle when they were pulled over during a traffic stop.

On June 22 at around 1:50 p.m., a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper was parked in the median of I-90 near milepost 174. He observed a gray vehicle approaching his location at a measured speed of 78 mph in the 75 mph zone.

The trooper reports that he performed a traffic stop near milepost 176 and made contact with the three occupants of the vehicle. The driver was identified as Alphonso Gbalea Jr.; the front seat passenger was later identified as Antaysia Bolton and the rear seat passenger as Samuel Galamue.

The trooper allegedly smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed an orange grinder commonly used to grind marijuana in plain view, as well as what appeared to be a marijuana dispensary container. The occupants allegedly admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle and Galamue handed him a small baggie of marijuana.

All occupants were asked to exit the vehicle and the trooper reports asking each of them about illegal items. Galamue allegedly handed him more marijuana that was loose in his pocket.

A search of the vehicle once all three had been detained allegedly revealed four large packages of marijuana underneath the rear cargo area with an approximate combined weight of 5 lbs 3 oz. Another large package weighing approximately 14 oz was allegedly found in a backpack and multiple small packages of marijuana purchased from a dispensary around the interior of the vehicle.

The three occupants, according to court reports, claimed they had left home in Minnesota on June 18 to go to Southern California, and had stopped in Colorado on the way to purchase marijuana from a dispensary. They allegedly claimed they had gone to Los Angeles and San Diego and Gbalea is reported to have said the large quantity of marijuana had been purchased in California; Galamue allegedly said that a guy in California had just left the marijuana in their car.

During interviews, Gbalea allegedly said he didn’t know how the marijuana got into the vehicle, but admitted the 14 oz package belonged to him. Bolton allegedly said she could smell a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle but was not sure how or when it was placed inside.

Due to the large quantity of marijuana located, the trooper states in court reports that he did not believe it to be consistent with personal use and was instead intended for sale and distribution in Minnesota. He also reports that it appears evident all three occupants had knowledge it was in the vehicle.

All three have been charged with felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to deliver and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.