Canadian citizen pleads guilty to drug possession

SANDUSKY — A Canadian citizen recently pleaded guilty to having 90 pounds of a well-known party drug with the intent to sell. Dontavius Forbes, 27, was arrested on Aug. 7, 2024, after a U.S. Border Patrol agent observed a vehicle with Canadian license plates parked in a service plaza parking lot near the Ohio Turnpike in Sandusky County, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The agent checked the vehicle's license plates and discovered that the vehicle first entered the U.S. from Canada on Nov. 21, 2023. The agent inquired about Forbes' visitation status because the vehicle's last entry was more than 180 days prior, the release states. During the search of Forbes' SUV, the agent observed modifications that were made to the cargo area. In the rear cargo floor panel, agents discovered a hidden compartment filled with 20 vacuum-sealed packages containing a crystal-like substance. "Upon further searching of the vehicle, a second hidden compartment was also found, providing access to the other compartment with the suspected illegal drugs," the release states. Law enforcement also seized $3,000 during the search. A field test was done on one of the packages, and it tested positive for "MDMA," which is more commonly known as either "ecstasy" or "molly" and is typically used by adolescents and young adults as a "party drug" because it lowers inhibitions, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. On June 6, Forbes pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and faces up to 20 years in prison. "A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 16, 2025," the release states.