Bloomington man arrested after search turns up drugs including cannabis butter

Posted on March 19, 2018
Police say Ruban Watson was arrested after a search turned up a variety of drugs including 13 pounds of cannabis-infused butter. (Photo courtesy Bloomington Police)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man is held on a high bond after police say they found crack cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs and cannabis butter during a search.

Authorities say the 13 pounds of butter, infused with marijuana, has a street value of almost $117,000.

Bloomington police say they arrested Ruban Watson, 39, on Friday after patrol officers and the Vice Unit searched a home in the 2300 block of 25th St. in Southgate Estates on the city’s south side.

Authorities say they also seized crack cocaine with a street value of almost $3,000, a little more than $3,000 suspected drug money, 129 grams of marijuana, digital scales, and packaging materials.

A prosecutor said it’s not unusual for police to seize cannabis butter, but it is rare for authorities to find such a large amount.

Watson must post a $200,000 cash bond to be released from jail while awaiting trial.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…