AMARILLO, Texas — Authorities in the Texas panhandle have seized more than $1 million in marijuana and arrested 11 people in six traffic stops this month.
Department of Public Safety records show the seizures along Interstate 40 since Feb. 10 total about 615 pounds.
Senior Trooper Christopher Ray told the Amarillo Globe-News that the reason for the increased activity may be more troopers on patrol after the agency has filled some job vacancies.
Authorities discount any speculation about the effect of legalized pot since Jan. 1 in nearby Colorado. Ray said his department believes the seized weed was being transported from California and Arizona and across the panhandle to points east.
None of the 11 people arrested is from the panhandle area.