The driver of a rented U-Haul truck remains in custody following a traffic stop and seizure of just over 40 pounds of marijuana. The driver of the U-Haul, 42 year-old Erich Thalmayer from Eugene, Oregon, was arrested Thursday just after 3:00 p.m. after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 approximately 4 miles east of Cheyenne.
Thalmayer was operating a mid-size U-Haul truck and was unable to maintain the vehicle within a single lane of travel. As the Trooper was following Thalmayer’s vehicle it swerved off onto the eastbound shoulder.
After contacting Thalmayer the Trooper became suspicious when Thalmayer changed details about the trip he was undertaking and appeared extremely nervous. Thalmayer stated he was hauling a load of used furniture for a relative to New York. The Trooper requested assistance from a Laramie County Sheriff’s Department drug detection K-9.
Once the deputy and his partner arrived the K-9 alerted at the rear of the U-Hual trucks cargo box. When Troopers opened the cargo door the only thing in the cargo hold area were 17 cardboard boxes. When the boxes were opened by Troopers, they were found to contain plastic garbage bags filled with high grade marijuana.
Thalmayer was en route to Middleton, New York and began his trip in Eugene, Oregon. The street value of the high grade marijuana is estimated to be approximately $100,000.
Thalmayer has been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. If convicted of the felony charge he could face up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or fines up to $10,000.
