EATON – A man and a woman from California are facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized nearly 27 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at approximately $1 million, following a traffic stop last week.

According to OSP Lieutenant Jon Payer, on Dec. 2, at 12:25 a.m., troopers stopped a 2010 Chevy Aveo, with California registration, for a no turn signal violation on Interstate 70, near milepost 10.

Payer noted, troopers observed criminal indicators and an OSP drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed the contraband.

The driver, Fidel Rodriguez-Gomez, 26, of Gridley, California, and a passenger, Bridget J. Morales, 28, of Yuba City, California, were incarcerated in the Preble County Jail at press time. Each were charged with possession of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony, and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.

Gomez was also charged with improper lane change, a minor misdemeanor.

If convicted, Morales and Rodriguez-Gomez could each face up to 11 years in prison and up to a $22,500 fine.

Both Morales and Rodriguez-Gomez were indicted by a Preble County grand jury on Monday, Dec. 5. Both were indicted for aggravated possession of drugs; major drug offender specification and possessing criminal tools.