An Austin, Texas, woman faces a felony drug trafficking charge in Harrison County after authorities reported finding approximately 214 pounds of marijuana inside a Jeep during a search authorized by a warrant.

Gina Maria Bongiorno is charged in Harrison County Circuit Court with second-degree drug trafficking. The felony complaint alleges Bongiorno knowingly possessed more than 66 pounds of a mixture or substance containing marijuana on or about Aug. 8 in Harrison County. Prosecutors filed the charge as a class C felony under Missouri law.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol probable cause statement, a trooper contacted Bongiorno at about 5 p.m. Aug. 8 and reported observing multiple indicators of what the trooper believed to be criminal activity involving the transportation of contraband.

The trooper asked Bongiorno for permission to search a white 2025 Jeep Wagoneer displaying Colorado registration. Bongiorno declined to consent to the search. The probable cause statement says she was advised she was free to leave while authorities sought a search warrant for the vehicle.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., Harrison County Circuit Judge Jay Hemenway granted the search warrant. During the subsequent search, the trooper reported opening a rear passenger door and finding five large hockey-style duffel bags and one large suitcase containing packages of marijuana.

Authorities later weighed the marijuana on a non-certified scale at Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H headquarters in St. Joseph. Its approximate weight was 214 pounds.

At approximately 8:21 p.m., officers with the Bethany Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol located Bongiorno in Bethany. She was taken into custody and transported to the Harrison County Jail.

The probable cause statement cited Bongiorno’s out-of-state residency and the reported discovery of approximately 214 pounds of marijuana as reasons the trooper believed she might not appear in court in response to a criminal summons. The arrest warrant lists an Austin, Texas, address for Bongiorno.

Court records show an arrest warrant was issued in the case. The warrant listed the charge as second-degree drug trafficking, a class C felony, and set bond at $100,000 cash only.

A bond hearing was held Aug. 13 before Hemenway. In considering whether the existing bond should be changed. The court denied a change in bond, finding by clear and convincing evidence that the existing conditions were the least restrictive conditions necessary to secure Bongiorno’s appearance and protect safety.

The case was continued to Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in the Harrison County courtroom in Bethany. 

The charge is an allegation, and Bongiorno is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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