At approximately 4:57 p.m. on October 25, 2018, a state trooper initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Suburban and trailer on Interstate 29 northbound near the 53-mile marker in Andrew County. After contacting the driver, circumstances led the trooper to request for consent to search, which was denied. The state trooper requested a Buchanan County deputy and his K-9 respond to the scene. Buchanan County’s K-9 alerted on the vehicle and a probable cause search revealed 514 pounds of marijuana

The driver, Ricky Allan Martin, 61, of Sunset Hills, Missouri, was arrested for trafficking drugs — 1st degree (over statutory amount) and possession of controlled substance. Martin was transported to the Andrew County Sheriff’s Department in Savannah, Missouri.

The charges for which Martin was arrested are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the above charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.