A recent routine traffic stop yielded the seizure of more than 16 pounds of marijuana inside the vehicle and charges against one of the occupants.
Kyle Dovel, 23, faces a felony for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute after a Platte County Sheriff’s deputy and his K-9 discovered the narcotics inside a padlocked duffel bag in the trunk of a gray passenger vehicle. The deputy stopped Dovel along Interstate 29 near Highway 273 just outside of Platte City.
According to a probable cause statement, Dovel originally declined to give permission for the deputy to search his vehicle. However, the K-9 attempted to enter the vehicle through the open driver’s side window twice during an exterior search. The dog entered the vehicle the second time and helped alert the deputy to a small amount of loose marijuana on the front passenger seat and middle console floorboard.
Upon opening the trunk, multiple bags were claimed by the occupants, save for a black duffel bag with a padlock.
The deputy noted in the probable cause statement that he could see what he believed to be heat-sealed bags of marijuana through a small hole. He cut the bag open and found about 16.6 pounds of marijuana inside.
Dovel’s address is listed in Palm Harbor, Fla., and he remains in custody at the Platte County Detention Center on a $25,000 cash-only bond. No charges have been filed against the two passengers.