THP Interdiction Trooper Discovers Large Amount of Drugs on Traffic Stop in Marion County

NASHVILLE –- A member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s East Bureau Interdiction Plus team initiated a traffic stop on Thursday in Marion County that resulted in the discovery of 60 pounds of marijuana. During the traffic stop, the suspect fled the scene and is still at large at this time.

Trooper Brent McCawley stopped a Lexus ES300 for a traffic violation on Interstate 24 westbound at mile marker 145 at approximately 11:49 p.m. on Thursday night. The male driver was unable to produce a driver’s license upon the trooper’s initial communication, and would not get off his cell phone after repeated requests from the investigating trooper.

After several tries to identify the driver, it was revealed that his license was suspended. Trooper McCawley attempted to arrest the driver for driving on a suspended driver’s license, but the driver ran to his vehicle and fled the scene. Trooper McCawley initiated a brief pursuit of the suspect vehicle until it traveled off the highway at exit 143 and turned onto a dead end street. The suspect then bailed from the vehicle and escaped on foot.   

The trooper requested additional assistance before pursuing the subject on foot. Trooper Michael Kilpatrick and a law enforcement official from Jackson County Alabama arrived on the scene with their canines to track the subject. The trail was lost, however, after approximately 1.5 miles.

Meanwhile, Trooper McCawley searched the suspect vehicle and located a large duffel bag in the trunk. The contents of the duffle bag, included, two vacuum sealed bags, each containing three large bails of marijuana for a total of six bails.  In total, the drugs weighed approximately 60 pounds.

The vehicle has been seized in accordance with state law. 

The investigation is ongoing.  

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

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