What began as a routine downtown traffic stop in Kokomo on Feb. 19 turned into a major bust when officers say they uncovered what looked like a distribution-sized drug haul inside a cargo van. Police report seizing more than 70 pounds of suspected marijuana and roughly $40,000 in U.S. currency from the vehicle, and the driver was arrested and booked into the Howard County Jail. The case is logged as KPD-26-00696, and investigators say their work is far from over.
According to police, Officer Dick Toth, badge #468, spotted a cargo van commit a traffic infraction while on routine patrol and pulled the vehicle over. Officers later established probable cause to search the van. Inside, they say they found about 60 vacuum-sealed bags of plant material that tested positive for marijuana, along with the sizable cash stash. The totals, Kokomo police say, strongly suggest distribution rather than personal use. The driver was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Howard County Jail, according to the Kokomo Police Department Facebook.
Charges And What The Statutes Cover
Kokomo police identified the driver as Eric Michael Ward of Pacifica, California. They say he was charged under I.C. 35-48-4-10(c) for dealing marijuana, a Level 5 felony, and under I.C. 35-48-4-11(a) for possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. Indiana law classifies these offenses by quantity and circumstances, and the state code outlines when a marijuana case can be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony. Police have not released a court date, and detectives say the investigation is ongoing as they pursue additional leads.
How To Tip And Where The Case Stands
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Officer Dick Toth at 765-457-1105, the Kokomo Police Department hotline at 765-456-7017, or Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. Kokomo police say the investigation into KPD-26-00696 remains active and that detectives are following up on leads, according to the Kokomo Police Department Facebook. As with any arrest, anyone charged in this case is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
What A Level 5 Felony Means
Under Indiana law, a Level 5 felony is a serious charge that can carry significant penalties if a defendant is convicted. Outcomes in any criminal case depend on the evidence, a defendant’s prior record, and decisions made by prosecutors and judges, and defendants have the right to challenge the charges in court. Kokomo police reiterate that the investigation in this case is still active as detectives continue to seek additional information.
