The Tennessee Highway Patrol made a traffic stop that led to the detection of a methamphetamine drug seizure on Wednesday.
Interdiction Plus Trooper George Stephens was patrolling Interstate-24 westbound in Marion County when he observed a driver of a 2002 BMW 325-I with illegal window tint following too closely to traffic, and not wearing a seat belt.
Trooper Stephens interviewed the male driver and male passenger and was alerted to possible indicators suggesting criminal activity. The trooper inquired if there were any weapons or any illegal items that were in the vehicle. The driver gave permission for the trooper to search the inside of the vehicle.
Trooper Rich Thomas arrived and aided in the search of the vehicle. Upon examining the vehicle, additional signs led troopers to discover 2.5 pounds of meth/Ice. The drugs were concealed in the dashboard of the vehicle on the driver side underneath the steering column.
The driver and passenger were taken into custody and booked into the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. They refused to answer additional questions.
The trooper report states the driver was traveling from Miami to Louisville, Ky. The driver is of Cuban descent and is 31. The passenger is also of Cuban descent and is 50.
Names of the suspects are being withheld due to an ongoing investigation.