Police: $200K in pot was headed for Southwestern Pennsylvania

State police in Greensburg arrested two New York men Tuesday for allegedly attempting to deliver more than $200,000 worth of marijuana to Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Trooper Stephen Limani said 75 one-pound, vacuum-sealed plastic bags of marijuana were seized just after 8:30 a.m. during a traffic stop at the New Stanton interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Arrested were Pengfel Wu, 28, of Brooklyn and Zhenfu Tan, 38, of New York City on charges of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Trooper Ryan Marmol said in court documents the men were westbound on the turnpike in Tan’s 2016 Honda Accord and turned off at the New Stanton exit, where it was pulled over for not signaling the turn. The marijuana was discovered when police conducted a probable cause search.

Police believe the shipment began in New York, where the men reside, and was going to be delivered to an as-yet unknown area in the region.

“Fortunately, the troopers were able to intervene and keep $200,000 worth of illegal marijuana off the streets of Southwestern Pennsylvania,” Limani said.

Troopers found the marijuana hidden in three large duffel bags inside the car. Limani said a police dog was called to assist in the vehicle search. Wu and Tan are both natives of China and do not speak English, authorities said. District Judge Charles Moore of East Huntingdon called an interpreter to assist in the men’s arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

Both were ordered held in the Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail each.

The arrests are among a number of large-scale marijuana seizures state police have made in Westmoreland County over the past year.

On Feb. 26, state police pulled over an eastbound box truck that was driving 40 mph in a 70 mph zone on the turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township. When police questioned the driver, they smelled marijuana and discovered a small amount in the cab, according to police reports.

When they searched the cargo area, they found a crate containing 510 pounds of marijuana, according to court documents. Mark J. Doyle, 63, of Oregon is accused of felony delivery and manufacture of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

On May 26, state police in Belle Vernon pulled over a car that was “weaving erratically” on Interstate 70 in Rostraver. Troopers said when they questioned the two occupants, Aldo Corniel, 35, the driver, and Jens Stoltzer, 48, of New York, they smelled a strong odor of marijuana.

Police seized 45 pounds of marijuana they discovered inside the vehicle and arrested Corniel and Stoltzer on possession charges. Corniel pleaded guilty in January to manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Chris Feliciani to serve up to 36 months with one year on house arrest.

Charges against Stoltzer were dismissed, according to online dockets.

On March 24, 2018, state police pulled over a white van driving west on the turnpike at milepost 82, in Mt. Pleasant Township. Tru Yang, 54, of St. Paul, Minn., was arrested on drug charges after troopers smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and discovered 100 pounds of the drug.

Yang told the trooper she was paid $8,000 to transport the drugs, police said.

Yang pleaded guilty in June to manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance before Common Pleas Judge Rita Hathaway and was sentenced to 23 months in the county jail. She was given credit for time served and released, according to online court dockets.