Alfa Romeo motorist found with 99 pounds of marijuana

Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) deputies announced the arrest of a 30-year-old woman after finding nearly 100 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop conducted on a 2019 Alfa Romeo.

According to an OCSO report, on Thursday, Sept. 15, detectives with the OCSO Highway Interdiction Unit stopped a motorist, identified as Malika Deshe Patterson, on Interstate 10 in Orange after she was observed committing several traffic violations.

“During the investigation, detectives noticed what appeared to be a large amount of (marijuana) in plain view while speaking to the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Malika Patterson,” deputies reported. “A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and detectives located a bulk amount of packaged (marijuana) inside of numerous plastic totes and suitcases inside the vehicle that totaled approximately 99 pounds.

“After an investigation, it was determined the (marijuana) was headed to the Georgia and Maryland areas. It is also believed that the suspect was utilizing stolen and fraudulent identifications to further the criminal activities. Numerous checks and credit cards with various names and addresses were located, and this information has been referred to both Georgia and Maryland officials for further investigation.”