Drugs found during traffic stop

A drug bust just west of Kingston on Interstate 90 has a Minnesota native facing up to 15 years in prison for trafficking marijuana.

Brandon Barry, 26, of Minneapolis, was charged with trafficking in marijuana after he was arrested on Monday afternoon. Cpl. Kevin Kessler stopped Barry at 1:41 p.m. after Barry's car crossed the fog line and failed to use headlights in reduced visibility. During an inspection of the trunk, 28.5 pounds of marijuana was discovered.

If convicted, Barry faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, and a maximum sentence of 15 years. If convicted, he will also be subject to a minimum $15,000 fine.

In an affidavit, Kessler explained why he suspected Barry was acting suspiciously.

"I felt that Barry was involved in major criminal activity, as he was not consistent with the innocent motoring public I contact every day," he wrote.

Indicators included Barry avoiding eye contact with Kessler, a visibly pulsing carotid artery, visibly shaking legs and hands, suspicious travel circumstances, evidence of hard travel - numerous energy drinks and food wrappers - a visibly fatigued driver, the overwhelming odor of a masking scent, and the vehicle came from a large marijuana source area to a large marijuana distribution area.

Twenty-two vacuum-sealed marijuana packages, two cellophane marijuana packages and two separate marijuana food products were found in the trunk.