WINNEMUCCA — A driver pulled over for speeding in a construction zone was subsequently arrested after the NHP trooper conducting the stop allegedly discovered 57 pounds of bagged marijuana stuffed into the trunk of the Nissan Altima. Dickens Thomas, 52, of San Francisco, was arrested on numerous drug charges -- including transporting a controlled substance.  The arrest was made on Thursday, Nov. 5.

According to Trooper Tim Raabe, he clocked the suspect driving 74 mph in the 55 mph construction zone approximately ten miles west of town.  Raabe  said as he spoke to the driver a large commercial truck went by, disturbing the air, at which time he thought he smelled green marijuana.  He obtained consent from the driver to search the vehicle and when he opened the trunk he alleged it was filled with big plastic bags that contained marijuana.

Working with the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the pot was estimated to have a street value of $250,000 and was considered high grade.  Raabe held up one of the plastic baggies to demonstrate what $6,000 worth of marijuana looked like (shown).

 Thomas is being held at the Humboldt County Detention Center on $35,000 bail.