Traffic Stop Foils Morphine, Prescription Drug Deal
MEMPHIS --- The West Tennessee Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Highway Patrol announced today the arrests of three individuals on drugs and weapons charges following a July 16th, 2012 interdiction stop on Interstate-40.
At approximately 7:42 am, on Monday, July 16th, Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Jeffery Fuller, a special agent assigned to the West Tennessee Drug Task Force (WTDTF), stopped a 1995 Tan Ford Thunderbird on a traffic violation while westbound on Interstate 40, near mile marker 45 in Haywood County.
The driver, Wesley D. Jaggers and passengers Stephanie E. Carroll and Victoria L. Walker, all from Louisville, Kentucky, consented to a search of the vehicle. During the vehicle search, officers noticed a cellular phone in the front seat area buzzing with multiple notifications. The notifications were text messages indicating that an individual was waiting for Jaggers to pick up narcotics. Both Jaggers and Carroll advised that they were traveling to Memphis to pick up morphine. Jaggers advised that he was in contact with a male that he only knew as “CB”. A reply message was transmitted to "CB" to meet for the sale. “CB” agreed via text to meet at a location in Shelby County.
At approximately 12:19 pm, a 2005 Red Ford F-350 pick-up truck driven by Courtney Broadnax of Memphis, arrived as prearranged in a parking lot located on I-40 at exit 20 in Shelby County. The vehicle was stopped by WTDTF agents and Broadnax was detained. Broadnax had a loaded .45 caliber pistol, 90 tablets of morphine, 64 tablets of Adderall, 12 tablets of methadone, and 1 tablet of Percocet. Broadnax admitted to agents that he was selling morphine tablets and Adderall tablets to Jaggers and Carroll. Jaggers and Carroll were arrested and transported to the Haywood County Jail. Walker was released.
Broadnax was arrested and will be charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell and possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is a partner with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force and has assigned troopers to the West Tennessee Drug Task Force Interstate Interdiction Unit.
The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force is a joint agency comprised of law enforcement officers assigned from various law enforcement agencies in three of West Tennessee’s Judicial Districts. The Judicial Districts include the 28th Judicial District (Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood Counties); the 29th Judicial District (Dyer and Lake Counties); and the 30th Judicial District (Shelby County). Additionally, six agents work solely for the Task Force. The Task Force is administered by District Attorney Garry Brown of the 28th Judicial District; District Attorney Phillip Bivins of the 29th Judicial District; and District Attorney Amy Weirich of the 30th Judicial District.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’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.