68°Troopers seize bath salts on Ohio Turnpike
Dec 09
2011
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers nabbed two South Carolina men on Thursday for transporting more than $150,000 in bath salts on the Ohio Turnpike.
Troopers stopped a rented 2011 Ford Expedition at 4:20 p.m. Thursday for following too closely while traveling east on the turnpike near milepost 68 in Wood County.
During the stop, a drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. Troopers searched the SUV and found five pounds of bath salts, as well as almost $15,000 in cash and checks.
The driver, Zeeshan Ali Ghani, 26, and passenger, Panchal Dipesh, 34, both of West Columbia, S.C., were charged with drug trafficking and drug possession, both first-degree felonies, and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.
Both were booked into the Wood County jail. If convicted, they could each face up to 21 years in prison and a $42,500 fine, according to troopers.
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12:00 PM
huronguy says
I didn't know canine dogs were now trained for sniffing bath salts! that's crap police can make up that their dog smelled something and search the vehicle. There should be a law that states something to the affect that if a vehicle is searched and no drugs are founds the victims should be financially compensated.
01:26 PM
Taxpayer says
Here we go again. "IF convicted, they COULD each face up to 21 years.." Almost sounds like the AP-0bama. Do ANY of you believe such liberal "FEEL GOOD" reporting anymore? Come on! We have PROOF of these liberal "FEEL GOOD" sentences right here in Ohio. We have PROOF of "justice for ALL" at the Erie County court house. Here is a tip. Bath salts are NOT listed anywhere as schedule II drugs. The language of, "and their salts" is listed in the ORC definition in schedule I drugs. These two need a good attorney and they will be OUT and never seen again. If YOU are in possession of ANY amount of "bath salts" or fat burners or health supplements containing the vast list of drugs or herbs on the list, YOU could be placed in jail and "face up to 21 years" in prison. My wife uses a powdered milk bath with chamomile. The label states these crystals contain sodium chloride, sodium hexamthaphospate, sodium sesquicarbonate and portions of herb extracts and fragrance. Oops, BATH SALTS!!! YOU might want to check your own inventory. Here is another tip. SALTS are used to soften your nasty county and city water. Ooo, those EVIL salts! Ha! Ha! And be very CAREFUL about using that drug dog. A few of you might want to ponder this. Our currency is so contaminated with narcotics there is NOTHING you can do about it! Don't believe that? If you see a drug dog, have the handler allow the dog to take a whiff of the currency in YOUR possession. That's right, in your pocket, purse or wallet. Oops, you MUST be a drug dealer! At that point, LE has enough "probable cause" to SEIZE your money and place you under arrest. Then have the officer take out his currency and let the dog sniff and see what happens. I guess they will NEVER arrest themselves. The dog is a great tool, investment and will never LIE like corrupt officers. They alert to a scent without fail. It is the handler or LE agency who is suspect on how they decide in using that tool to detain you, arrest you and seize your assets. Still believe running the dog on EVERY traffic stop or collision is a good idea??
05:01 PM
thinktwice says
Awesome again OSP!!!
04:11 PM
czechurself says
@ nobody cares...you are ignorant
02:31 PM
SimpleEnough says
Wonder what family members fuel stop/quick stops they were servicing?!
01:20 PM
Cityslicker says
Looks like that Ohio Turnpike is becoming a pretty good drug transport roadway. I say run the dog on every traffic stop. It won't take long for the word to get out, and maybe these thugs will plan another route.
12:52 PM
nobodycares says
yeah i am sure they will get 21 years !!!hahahahaha what a joke !!
just think of all the relatives who wont get there christmas gifts now !!
by the looks of there names they might want to check them for bombs too