100 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Traffic Stop on I-40
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 | 10:30am
NASHVILLE --- A Tennessee State Trooper stopped a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup on I-40 in Dickson County and seized nearly 100 pounds of marijuana.
At approximately 12:03 p.m. on Monday, March 29, Trooper Shawn Seay observed a white Dodge Ram 2500 pick up speeding 91 in a 70 mph zone eastbound at the 176 mile marker on I-40. Trooper Seay stopped the vehicle at mile marker 177.
After Trooper Seay noticed a 5 gallon gas tank in the bed of the truck and upon further questioning, the driver consented to a search of the vehicle. Due to suspicion of drugs in the fuel tank, Trooper Seay requested the local drug interdiction unit. A K-9 hit on both sides of the pickup near the gas tank.
The Dodge Ram pickup was taken to a nearby Chevrolet dealership where the fuel tank was removed. Inside the fuel tank, 30 bricks of marijuana were uncovered. The bricks, weighing approximately 90 to 100 pounds were wrapped in newspaper and duck tapped with plastic.
The driver, Guadalupe Garcia, 32, of Brownsville, Texas is charged with felony possession with intent for resale. The 1997 Dodge pickup, marijuana and approximately $200 dollars in cash were seized by THP in accordance with state law.
Trooper Seay was assisted by the 23rd Judicial Task Force, the THP Criminal Investigation Division (CID), THP Interdiction Plus, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and DEA.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is 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.