State police seized $19.4 million worth of processed marijuana so far in 2020, according to troopers.

Nearly 3 tons of processed marijuana were confiscated by troopers across the state during the first nine months of the year, with some big seizures recently in Westmoreland County.

Statistics released this week showed, from July 1 through Sept. 30, troopers confiscated 2,900 pounds of processed marijuana valued at $8.7 million. That was part of $13.4 million worth of illicit drugs seized statewide during the three-month period.

For the first nine months of the year, troopers confiscated about $3.2 million worth of cocaine, or 146 pounds; $1.5 million worth of heroin, or 43 pounds; and $966,720 worth of fentanyl, or 60 pounds, according to state police statistics. Those three illicit substances contributed to high numbers of drug overdose deaths locally and around the country.

A substantial amount of the marijuana seized has come from local busts. Two Texas men were arrested in September after 200 pounds of marijuana was found in their SUV on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

In July, troopers found 500 pounds of marijuana in a pickup truck in New Stanton and two Central Pennsylvania men were charged. A Virginia man was arrested in April after 100 pounds of marijuana was found in an SUV also traveling on the turnpike.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said in its 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment that black market marijuana production within the country is on the rise, particularly in states where marijuana has been legalized. Cocaine was seen as a “resurgent threat” and heroin and fentanyl continue to be the deadliest illicit substances, according to the report.

Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania. Neighboring states have either decriminalized marijuana, legalized medicinal uses or both.

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