The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force reported a significant methamphetamine seizure following a late-night traffic stop. According to a social media post by the task force, the seizure occurred on Interstate 40 in Haywood County when officers stopped a commercial vehicle for a traffic violation and detected irregularities in a private vehicle being transported.
Anomalies in the transported private vehicle, which was being monitored by agents from the criminal interdiction unit based in Shelby County, led to the deployment of a narcotics canine. The canine signaled the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Agents then located an aftermarket compartment concealed within a natural void in the car's passenger area, where they found more than 50 bags of methamphetamine, weighing approximately 115 pounds.
The illicit substances are estimated to have a wholesale value of approximately $313,000, with a street value exceeding half a million dollars. "I’m proud of the job these agents from Shelby County did here," DA Steve Mulroy praised the team's efforts, as "Their persistence and ingenuity allowed us to prevent a record amount of meth poison from being distributed in West Tennessee and elsewhere," as stated in the task force's post.
Drug Task Force Director Johnie Carter recognized his criminal interdiction team for their efforts, noting that this bust sets a new record for the Task Force. As the case is still under active investigation, details remain limited, with future charges expected to be prosecuted in Haywood County by the Office of the District Attorney General, 28th Judicial District, Frederick Agee.
