Adam Frantz, 28, and Ryan Gravlin, 28, both of 811 Chase Road, Lunenburg, were each charged with trafficking in marijuana (about 2,225 pounds)

Adam Frantz, 28, and Ryan Gravlin, 28, both of 811 Chase Road, Lunenburg, were each charged with trafficking in marijuana (about 2,225 pounds) and conspiracy to violate the controlled substances law. Mr. Frantz also faces a charge of a drug violation in a school zone.

He pleaded not guilty today in Worcester Central District Court and was ordered held on $100,000 bail by Judge Bethzaida Vega. He is expected back in court on Dec. 3.

Mr. Gravlin additionally was charged with illegal possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty today in Fitchburg District Court. He was ordered held on $50,000 bail by Judge Elliott L. Zide and is expected back in court on Nov. 16.

Authorities say the investigation began Wednesday when a tractor-trailer inspection at Lewiston Bridge, in Lewiston, N.Y., revealed about 225 pounds of marijuana among a cover load of televisions and fabric.

The load was then driven in the company of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents out of Buffalo, N.Y., to its intended destination, 150 Blackstone River Road in Worcester.

Last night, state police detectives assigned to Mr. Early's office, along with personnel from ICE and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and detectives from the Worcester Police Department conducted a controlled delivery of the 225 pounds of marijuana to a man later identified as Mr. Frantz.

With the marijuana in the bed of his gray pickup, Mr. Frantz headed north. When he reached Reservoir Road in Lunenburg, he was stopped and arrested by state troopers with dogs and the Community Action Team.

A subsequent search of his home uncovered another 2,000 pounds of marijuana, packaging materials, scales, ledgers, numerous cell phones, about $100,000 and a small firearm. Mr. Gravlin was arrested at the house.

“This is law enforcement at its best,” Mr. Early said. “A lot of hard work and cooperation went into this effort. We're focused on using all available resources to keep our communities safe.”

Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigation office in Boston, said of the bust, “Keeping drugs off the streets is one of the most important missions of law enforcement, since drug smuggling and the resulting damage from drug abuse tears at the very fabric of our communities.”

The investigation is continuing.