Authorities have placed three suspects in custody in connection with two separate high-value drug busts this past week on Ohio roads.

The first bust occurred on the Ohio Turnpike near Oberlin. Troopers observed a car speeding and initiated a traffic stop. When approaching the car, officers smelled raw marijuana and, citing probable cause, began to look in the vehicle. The search and seizure revealed a quarter pound of marijuana in the driver's backpack, but also turned up significant amounts of other drugs. The suspect had 60 bindles of heroin in powder form and 500 grams of brown heroin. The estimated street value of the drugs stands at $102,000.

The driver was arrested and taken to the Lorain County Jail. He has been charged with the first-degree felony of possession of heroin, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

The second bust also occurred on the Ohio Turnpike. Troopers observed a vehicle commit a "lanes violation," and again initiated a traffic stop. After viewing "criminal indicators," law enforcement requested a canine unit to determine if narcotics were present in the vehicle. The dog picked up the scent of drugs, and police, again citing probable cause, searched the car. The suspects were in possession of 500 grams of cocaine and a small amount of heroin, worth an estimated $50,000.

The driver and passenger were also taken in to custody and transported to the Lorain County Jail. Both were charged with the second-degree felonies of aggravated trafficking of cocaine and possession of cocaine, as well as the third-degree felony of possession of heroin.

The law makes specific demands of police officers when they cite probable cause or begin a search and seizure. A suspect's constitutional rights are brought to the forefront in such a situation, and experienced legal counsel can make sure that they have not been violated.

Source: Norwalk Reflector, "Troopers seize more than $100,000 worth of heroin in area traffic stop," Feb. 10, 2012.