Billy Allonce of California and Jose Lopez of New York to make first court appearance Aug. 25.
WORTHINGTON, Minn. — A traffic stop on Minnesota 60, near Roberts Avenue, earlier this month netted 273 air-sealed packages filled with approximately 300 pounds of marijuana and felony charges against two men.
Billy Joseph Allonce, 37, of Los Angeles, and Jose Anthony Lopez, 39, of Elmont, New York, each face three counts in Nobles County Fifth Judicial District Court, including importing controlled substances across state borders, first degree drug sale (25 kilograms or more of marijuana), and first degree possession of 50 kilograms or more of marijuana.
The men were apprehended at approximately 2 a.m. Aug. 10 by Worthington law enforcement after driving over the posted speed limit, according to a police report. The car was rented in Oakland, California. According to the report, neither Allonce nor Lopez were authorized drivers on the rental agreement and, upon further investigation, it was discovered Lopez’s license was suspended and Allonce’s license was suspended or revoked.
Lopez refused the officer’s request to search the vehicle, according to the report. A drug-sniffing K-9 alerted his handler to probable cause to search the vehicle.
An officer discovered a duffle bag packed full of air-sealed bags of marijuana, according to the report. In all, there were nine duffle bags filled with packages of marijuana, according to police.
Lopez and Allonce each posted non-cash bonds and are scheduled to make their initial court appearances on Aug. 25.
If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of up to 35 years imprisonment and/or a $1.25 million fine for importing controlled substances across state borders; and up to 30 years imprisonment and/or a $1 million fine on each of the other two counts against them.
