On Tuesday, two Indiana State Troopers made two different traffic stops on the Indiana Toll Road that resulted in over 2 ½ pounds of marijuana being located.

Just after midnight Trooper Benjamin Walker stopped a 2011 Chevrolet for an equipment violation as it traveled westbound on the Indiana Toll Road, near the 151 mile marker, in Steuben County.

While talking to the driver, Ryan Michele Bartlett, age 37, of Paw Paw, MI, Walker purportedly smelled the odor of raw marijuana. A subsequent search of the Chevrolet revealed more than 1 ½ pounds of suspected raw marijuana, several vape pen cartridges containing suspected THC oil, and suspected marijuana wax.

Bartlett was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and cited for having an expired driver’s license.

A passenger in the Chevrolet, Kevin Cutrer, age 58, of Benton Harbor, MI, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. Bartlett and Cutrer were taken to the Steuben County Jail.

Around 10:40 a.m., Trooper Keith Doyle stopped a 1997 Nissan for several moving violations as it traveled eastbound on the Indiana Toll Road, near the 84 mile marker, in St. Joseph County.

A search of the Nissan resulted in the seizure of just over a pound of suspected raw marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia. The driver of the Nissan, Troy Kidwell, age 38, of Grants Pass, OR, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia and cited for Driving While Suspended.

Kidwell was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.

Doyle was assisted by Mishawaka Police Department Officer James Bartlett and his K9 partner Bailey.