Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Department of Safety has released results from the Tennessee Highway Patrol's Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Checkpoint held today at the I-75 rest area at mile marker 13, just north of Chattanooga . The checkpoint began at 8:30am and lasted until just after 3:30pm EDT .

A total of 1,796 trucks went through the checkpoint, resulting in the discovery of 33 safety violations, including four hazardous materials violations, removal of two drivers and one truck from service and one driver arrested for drug possession. Forty-nine of the trucks which traveled through the checkpoint were hazardous materials trucks which were required to display special placards. Special Operations K-9s inspected 27 trucks and located one gun. However, the owner had a permit for the weapon.

Several State Troopers, THP Special Operations K-9s, and personnel from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Hamilton County Sheriff's Department and Hamilton County Emergency Management Services all took part in today's checkpoint.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.