Two charged with drug violations

A traffic stop made by the Montana Highway Patrol for a speeding violation led to the arrests of two men accused of carrying two pounds of marijuana.

Along with the marijuana, the Montana Highway Patrol found $2,400 in cash, drug paraphernalia and a loaded Smith and Wesson revolver, the patrol said.

A spokesman for the Tri-Agency Task Force said the marijuana was allegedly transported from El Cajon, Calif., to Montana for distribution. He also said some had already been distributed in Blaine County and on the Fort Belknap Indian reservation. The task force is a narcotics investigation service for the Havre, Chinook and Harlem police departments and the Hill, Liberty, Blaine, Judith Basin, Chouteau and Phillips county sheriffs' departments.

The spokesman said a person could make 1,816 marijuana cigarettes with two pounds of marijuana.

The case is still under investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol, Tri-Agency Task Force, Blaine County Sheriff's Department and the FBI.

The spokesman said the history of the two men, Keith Scott, 19, and Kaseem Alim Shipley, 30, is being looked into. "We're trying to nail everything down from end to end."

Yvonne Laird, Blaine county deputy attorney, said Scott and Shipley have been charged. Scott has been charged with criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, and use or possession of property subject to forfeiture. Shipley has been charged with obstructing a peace officer, criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, criminal possession of property subject to forfeiture, and driving with a revoked license.

Scott and Shipley are to appear in court for their initial hearing this afternoon. The two were arrested on U.S. Highway 2 in Blaine County on June 24.