Maryland State Police say that they recently pulled over a truck driver for a simple speeding infraction but wound up discovering a million dollars’ worth of dangerous drugs.
The incident began on July 23 when Maryland troopers were conducting a speeding enforcement detail on southbound I-270 in Rockville, according to a report from WJLA.
Troopers say that they clocked a semi truck traveling at 70 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone. During the traffic stop, police said that 41 year old California-based truck driver Marco Popovich was displaying both verbal and non-verbal signs of stress indicating that he was nervous. Troopers brought in a drug sniffing canine unit, which soon uncovered a duffel bag in the cab of the truck.
The duffel bag contained 10.8 pounds of heroin, 4.3 pounds of fentanyl, and 8.3 pounds of an unknown white powder substance. The amount of fentanyl seized by police was enough to kill 780,000 people, according to Drug Enforcement Administration data.
Popovich was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a narcotic controlled substance, importing a controlled substance into state, possession of a large amount of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance – not marijuana. He is being held without bond and could face more than 90 years behind bars.
Court documents indicate that Popovich has owned the trucking company Popovich Transport for a decade.