Troopers seize more than $48M in marijuana, THC products during I-78 traffic stop in Warren County
GREENWICH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — New Jersey State Police arrested two Texas men after seizing more than $48 million worth of marijuana and cannabis products during a traffic stop on Interstate 78 in Warren County, authorities said.
On Sept. 10, troopers from the Mobile Safe Freight Unit conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a tractor-trailer traveling eastbound at milepost 6.5 in Greenwich Township. The truck was operated by Vethanayagam Venches, 45, of Irving, Texas, with passenger Mohamed Nawshad, 48, also of Irving.
During the inspection, troopers detected the odor of marijuana and observed signs consistent with trafficking, police said. A search of the trailer uncovered approximately 7,645 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, 44,456 THC vape cartridges, 9,572 packages of THC gummies, 59 liters of cannabis resin, and 83 THC-infused cigarette packages.
Venches and Nawshad were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and conspiracy. They were lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting the case.
