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By: Kristen Harvey / Staff Writer - Updated: 10 hours ago

BUCKHANNON — On Thursday, October 6, Benjamin Grant Rich, age 39 of French Creek, was taken into custody after multiple law enforcement officers in north central W.Va. including members of the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force (MRDTF) were notified of multiple packages emitting a strong odor.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by West Virginia State Police Sergeant (SGT) Rodney Rolenson, the investigation began on Friday, September 30. On this day, Sgt. Rolenson was contacted by Corporal (CPL) J.M. Tallman about an investigation he was conducting in Elkins, W.Va. It was noted CPL Tallman was contacted by a security manager at a local community carrier facility, who intercepted a package containing suspected marijuana. The facility manager explained a strong odor of marijuana was coming from the package and opened the package for inspection, per their policy. According to the shipping label, the box was shipped and addressed to Benjamin Rich at his residence. According to the parcel shipping label, the parcel has a weight of approximately 12 pounds.

CPL Tallman traveled and met with community carrier facility members to receive the package for further investigation. CPL Tallman then took custody of the opened package, which contained one cardboard box of vacuum sealed bags withholding a large amount of a green vegetative substance believed to be marijuana. 

At approximately 4 p.m., members of the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrived at the defendant’s residence. Sgt. Rolenson and CPL Tallman, assisted by other members of the MRDTF, did attempt to deliver the package to Benjamin Rich at his residence, but no individual present.

On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, Sgt. R.S. Rolenson was contacted by Deputy Cory Heater of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department about an investigation he was conducting in Bridgeport, W.Va. Deputy Heater was contacted by a security manager at a local community carrier facility, who intercepted a package containing suspected marijuana. The facility manager explained a strong odor of marijuana was coming from the seond package and opened the package for inspection, per their policy.

The second package’s shipping label was addressed from in Huntington Beach, Calif, addressed to the defendant’s residence. According to the parcel shipping label, the parcel has a weight of approximately 19 pounds.

Sgt. Marshall O’Connor traveled to meet with community carrier facility members and took custody of the package for further investigation. Upon inspection, the box also contained a cardboard box of vacuum sealed bags withholding a large amount of a green vegetative substance believed to be marijuana.

On October 6, a search warrant operation was conducted and approximately 18 pounds of marijuana was located in the defendant’s residence, along with scales and packaging material. The defendant was located in a 2006 Audi traveling to his residence. An Upshur County Sherriff’s Officer performed a traffic stop on Sago Road and allegedly found an additional two pounds of marijuana, packaging material and a loaded firearm, in the possession of the convicted felon. The defendant also allegedly did have several boxes from UPS and FedEx from prior package deliveries.

It was noted within the criminal complaint that, based upon the above information and the cooperation and confession of the defendant, Sgt. Rolenson believes that the defendant was causing a controlled substance to be transported from California to West Virginia by means of Fed Ex and UPS with intent to deliver the same.

The defendant has been charged with Transportation of Controlled Substance into State with Intent to Deliver, which is a felony. He is currently being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $25,000 cash only bond.

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office also released a statement regarding this case on Friday, October 7, including additional items seized as part of their investigation. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office recovered over 40 pounds of marijuana, 54 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, multiple rifles, handguns, packaging material, scales and approximately $20,000 in U.S. currency.

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