Two subjects out of Florida have been arrested and charged following a traffic stop by Oklahoma Highway Patrol on U.S. Interstate-40 near Vian last month.

Manuel Jose Vallenilla, 21, and Jessica M. Vallenilla, 40, of Jacksonville were each charged on Aug. 29 with unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Both received an $11,000 bond and were scheduled for a Sept. 12 arraignment. No further court dates have been set as of press time.

Trooper Daran Koch reported on Aug. 23 he was observing traffic on I-40 at the 297 mile marker (Vian exit) when he noticed a grey Infinity SUV speeding and stopped the vehicle around the 298 mile marker.

Koch made contact with the driver, Manuel Vallenilla, and his passenger, Jessica Vallenilla, and brought Manuel back to his patrol unit to cite him with a warning when he noticed several indicators of criminal activity from both parties.

The trooper asked Manuel for consent to search and he agreed but when he asked Jessica, she wouldn’t give him a yes or no answer. Koch then utilized his K-9 Ivo to scan the exterior of the Infinity and the dog reportedly alerted on the vehicle.

Koch then performed a probable cause search where he located two plastic wrapped packages in a suitcase in the rear cargo area. He cut one open and found a sealed jar inside of a bag containing a thick brown liquid.

The jar was opened and reportedly smelled like raw marijuana and tested positive for marijuana.

A total of 26 jars of liquid were located in the luggage, rear console and a box.

Each package weighed in excess of 2 lbs.

Both subjects were transported to the Sequoyah County Detention Center where they were booked in on their charges.