Tennessee Highway Patrol Interdiction West Team Makes Significant Drug Bust in Coffee County

NASHVILLE--- Members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s (THP) West Bureau Interdiction Plus team discovered approximately one and a half pounds of crystal methamphetamine on a routine traffic stop on Wednesday morning in Coffee County.

Trooper Jeremy Miller initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Honda Accord for speeding in a construction zone near mile marker 124 on Interstate 24 westbound at approximately 10:36 a.m. on Wednesday. Upon the trooper’s introduction and explanation of the stop, the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, explained she was traveling from Atlanta, Ga. to Louisville, Ky.  

During their conversation, Trooper Miller noticed marijuana residue on the floor mat on the passenger side of the vehicle. The investigating trooper asked the driver to exit the vehicle, when she began to roll up the windows and lock the doors. She also attempted to call someone on her cell phone.  However, after additional dialogue with the trooper, the driver exited the vehicle without incident.  

Trooper Miller, who has a drug detector canine named "Dolce", then requested THP Sgt. Wayne Dunkleman to respond to the scene to assist. During the deployment of K-9 Dolce, the driver of the vehicle became nervous and agitated. The K-9 eventually gave a positive alert to drugs on the vehicle.

The troopers uncovered a box of diapers in the back seat and found that the box flaps had been glued down and taped. A search of the diapers revealed approximately one and a half pounds of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) within two sleeves of pampers.   

Ashton Jones, 27, of Atlanta, Ga., was arrested and charged with possession of schedule II drugs with intent to sell and deliver, simple possession of schedule VI drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding. She was taken to the Coffee County Jail.

“Trooper Miller did an extraordinary job of looking beyond the citation and locating a large quantity of methamphetamine that would otherwise may have been put back on the street. I’m proud that our troopers are going above and beyond to keep Tennessee safe,” THP Colonel Trott said.

Booking photos may be obtained from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office.    

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

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