The California Highway Patrol pulled in a pretty good haul up in McKinleyville last night — $120,000 and 55 pounds of weed. The suspect is from Jamul, Calif. — apparently a real place.

The CHP press release is below. (Reminder: Follow our @HumboldtCHP feed for other real-time dispatches from the local CHiPs.)

On 09/21/2010, at approx. 1713 hours, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer M. Campbell observed Ian Charles Mason talking on his cell phone, a violation of California Vehicle Code section 23123(A), while driving his 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 on School Road near Betty Court, in McKinleyville. A traffic stop was made. Mason displayed objective signs of alcohol intoxication and was subsequently arrested for DUI.

While conducting an inventory of the vehicle contents, 6 large plastic garbage bags were located in the bed of the truck. The garbage bags contained approx. 55 pounds of processed Marijuana packaged in 1 pound smaller bags. The Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) was notified and responded to the scene. Officers then located $121,860.00 in cash concealed under the rear seat of the Dodge. The cash and Dodge were seized by the HCDTF for asset forfeiture. Mason was booked into the Humboldt County Jail for charges of 23152(A) VC- DUI, 23152(B) VC- DUI over .08%, 11359 H&S- Procession of Marijuana for sales, 11360(A) H&S- Transportation of Marijuana for sale.

This article appears in The Town Downer.