The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Thursday (Today), three men from Maryland have been charged in connection with the discovery Wednesday afternoon, of marijuana in a vehicle, following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Adair County. Officials say a State Trooper discovered more than 50 pounds of marijuana after he pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation,  just after 12-p.m., Wednesday.

After approaching the vehicle to address the traffic violation, the State Trooper smelled the odor of marijuana and asked the driver if he had marijuana in the vehicle.  The driver, 22-year old John Fell, from Quincy, MD, admitted to possessing marijuana. The Trooper discovered more than 50 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle.  The subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of Fell on charges that include Possession of Marijuana with intent to Deliver, Failure to affix Drug Tax Stamp and Prohibited Acts.  His passengers, 22-year old Kevin Ciardi, and 23-year old Adam Salhaney, both of Weymouth, MD, were charged with Conspiracy to commit a felony by delivering more than 50 pounds of marijuana.

State Troopers continue to participate in the investigation with the assistance of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.