MARTINSBURG West Virginia - Two people were arrested Wednesday after a tip led to the seizure of more than 200 grams of marijuana found in a minivan in Martinsburg West Virginia.
Both 19-year-old George Edward Hayles Jr., of Autumn Leaf Drive, Martinsburg, and 21-year-old Ryneka Jaynise Wilkerson, of Thayers Gull Drive, Martinsburg, were charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance in West Virginia.
According to court records, the West Virginia State Police received information Wednesday from a confidential source that a blue minivan was en route to the Martinsburg area with a large quantity of marijuana. Troopers were able to obtain a description of the van, as well as one of its occupants.
Troopers C.A. Ellwanger and Sgt. T.C. Kearns subsequently located a minivan matching the description. One of the occupants of the van also matched the description provided.
The West Virginia van was found traveling toward the Walmart on Foxcroft Avenue in Martinsburg. The van then pulled into a parking space where the driver, later identified as Hayles, and a female passenger, later identified as Wilkerson, exited the vehicle. Troopers approached the two subjects and asked to speak with them. Kearns spoke with driver while Ellwanger spoke with the female passenger.
Hayles then permitted police to search the van, according to police reports. Kearns searched the van and located an electronics box between the driver and passenger seats that was accessible to both occupants. A large bag of marijuana was found inside. The bag had an approximate weight of 220 grams. The estimated street value of the drugs was about $700, police said.
Neither occupant was cooperative with West Virginia investigators when asked about the narcotics, police said. Both were subsequently arrested and later arraigned.
Hayles and Wilkerson were later released after posting $35,000 bail.
If convicted, they face one to 15 years in prison on the charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one to five years in prison on the conspiracy charges.
