Zhiren Zhou, 51, of Chicago, was charged June 9 after Indiana State Police allegedly discovered approximately 70 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 94 in Porter County.

According to court documents, a trooper observed a white pickup truck make multiple lane changes without using a turn signal at approximately 6:45 p.m. June 8. The vehicle was stopped near the 21-mile marker of I-94 in Porter County.

Police reported detecting the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Court records state Zhou was the sole occupant of the truck. Troopers used Google Translate to communicate with Zhou, who spoke Chinese.

After Zhou declined consent to search the vehicle, a police K-9 conducted a free-air sniff and alerted to the presence of narcotics, according to court documents.

Investigators reported finding four large garbage bags in the covered bed of the truck. The bags allegedly contained numerous vacuum-sealed packages filled with a green, plant-like material that troopers identified as marijuana based on their training and experience.

The evidence was transported to the Indiana State Police Lowell Post, where it was inventoried and field tested. Court documents state the substance tested positive for marijuana and weighed approximately 70 pounds.

Lodged in the Porter County Jail.

Charges filed June 9, 2026:

• Dealing in Marijuana (Level 5 Felony)