A pre-preliminary hear has been continued for a driver from Texas stopped and arrested on the Turner Turnpike and facing a felony drug count after 62 pounds of marijuana were seized.
Xuejin Yan, 28, of League City, Texas was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court on July 12 with trafficking in illegal drugs.
He appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk on July 8. She set his bond at $75,000.
His pre-preliminary hearing was scheduled for July 18. On that date, the judge agreed to continue the matter until Aug. 15, 2024 in order for Yan to hire a private attorney.
That hearing has been continued until Sep. 26.
Yan is accused on July 7 this year of possessing 62 pounds of marijuana, a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
State Trooper R.V. Darnell states in a probable cause affidavit that he stopped Yan shortly before 6 p.m. July 7 and conducted a traffic stop for traveling 65 miles per hour in a posted 55 miles per hour construction zone on the Turner Turnpike.
The trooper stated he noticed several large items in the back seat of the cargo area with blankets covering them as he approached the passenger side of the vehicle.
He said when he reached the passenger side window he immediately detected the odor of marijuana and asked Yan for his license. He noticed that Yan appeared nervous with shaky hands and his voice was shaky, Darnell stated.
He ascertained that Yan was coming from Texas heading to Tulsa to just look around.
The trooper stated he inquired of Yan if there was anything illegal in the car and Yan responded no. He further asked Yan if there was any marijuana in the vehicle and Yan again answered no.
He asked Yan if there was any methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, or weapons in the vehicle, and he replied ‘no’ while laughing The trooper found four large trash bags with vacuum sealed bags of marijuana inside and a small trash bag with one vacuum sealed bag of marijuana.
The trooper placed Yan into custody and took him to the Lincoln County Jail without incident. He said the marijuana weighed approximately 62 pounds.