Pittsburgh man arrested in Mon Valley marijuana case
BROWNSVILLE – A Pittsburgh man was arrested Monday night on accusations he attempted to use a cab driver to deliver a large amount of marijuana to a residence in West Brownsville.
State police took the suspect, Ronald Joseph Gargani, 42, into custody at a plaza in Dormont where he had arranged to meet the driver and pay him for his services, court document allege.
The investigation began about 5:30 p.m. when a trooper conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of Middle Street and smelled a strong odor of marijuana leaving the vehicle.
Police obtained a warrant to search the vehicle, and the trooper discovered 10 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags inside two cardboard boxes, the affidavit alleges.
The driver, Ronald L. Pierson of Freedom, told police he was a cab driver who was given instructions from Gargani to pick up the boxes at an address in Allegheny County and deliver them to a house on Middle Street in West Brownsville, court records indicate.
Pierson has not been charged in the case, online court records show.
Gargani is charged with drug possession with intent to deliver, conspiring to possess drugs with intent to deliver and conspiracy under a corrupt organization.
District Judge Larry Hopkins sent Gargani to Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. The jail released him Tuesday after he posted bond.