$1 million bond set for man accused of trafficking 160 pounds of marijuana

By Greg Phillips

Published: July 9, 2008

A man charged with transporting about $200,000 worth of marijuana is being held at the Dale County Jail under a $1 million bond after being arrested near Midland City on Tuesday night.

Authorities arrested Noah Jacob Kibbe, 34, of North Fort Myers, Fla., after discovering about 160 pounds of marijuana in a trailer attached to his truck.

“This is the biggest drug bust that anybody can remember,” said Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams.

According to Capt. Ricky Peak of the Alabama State Troopers, the trailer had been converted into one-half living quarters, one-half animal quarters.

“That was his business, something to do with animals. The contraband was in the trailer itself,” Peak said.

The traffic stop occurred at 5:12 p.m. Tuesday as Kibbe was headed south on U.S. 231. According to Peak, the officer’s curiosity was piqued during his conversation with Kibbe.

After backup arrived, officers searched the trailer and found the marijuana, which may be the largest amount ever found in Dale County.

“I’ve been here since ‘86 off and on, and this is the largest amount as far as actual contraband I can remember,” Peak said. “One hundred sixty pounds, that’s a pretty good amount. That’s been the largest we’ve had in this area.”

Peak isn’t sure of the exact source of the marijuana.

“The only thing we’re for sure of is he was coming from north Alabama,” Peak said.

Judge Stanley Garner Jr. set Kibbe’s bond Wednesday morning. Adams expects Kibbe to face a preliminary hearing in three to four weeks.