Suspicious Vehicle Leads Troopers to Meth and Ginseng

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Monday evening at 6:30, an alert Indiana State Police Trooper from the Putnamville Post noticed a blue 1998 Ford Ranger abandoned on the westbound shoulder of Interstate 70 near the 35 mile marker. This was the third time in approximately four weeks the trooper noticed the same vehicle abandoned on the shoulder in a two to three mile section of the interstate. Each time he would check the area, the trooper was unable to locate anyone.

However, this evening was an exception. After securing assistance from another nearby trooper, the officers located two males approximately one-half mile into the wooded area that were smoking methamphetamine and illegally hunting Ginseng. The suspects were taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail with assistance from Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies.

Larry Joseph Woods, age 45, of Terre Haute, IN. and Samuel Eugene Crowther, age 48, of Terre Haute, IN. were both preliminarily charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Theft, Possession of Ginseng without Permission, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Troopers recovered under three grams of methamphetamine, methamphetamine smoking devices, and approximately a quart size or slightly larger bag containing Ginseng.