$48M In Marijuana Products Seized In North Jersey, 2 Men Arrested

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — Two Texas men were arrested last week after authorities found them to be in possession of nearly $50 million worth of marijuana and THC/cannabis products, according to police.

On Sept. 10, New Jersey State Police’s Mobile Safe Freight Unit pulled over a tractor-trailer on I-78 East at milepost 6.5 in Greenwich Township for inspection.

Officers noticed the smell of marijuana during the inspection, along with “other indicators of trafficking activity.”

In possibly the state's largest marijuana seizure, police searched the tractor-trailer to find 7,645 pounds of marijuana, 44,456 THC vape cartridges, 9,572 packages of THC gummies, 59 liters of cannabis resin, and 83 THC-infused cigarette packages, totaling north of $48 million in product, authorities said.

The tractor-trailer was driven by Vethanayagam Venches, 45, with passenger Mohamed Nawshad, 48, both from Irving, Texas, according to police.

Both men were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and conspiracy.

The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting the case, officials said.

The bust comes just months after state police seized $36 million in marijuana products in Greenwich Township in February.