Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Makes Traffic Stop and Discovers Two Kilos of Cocaine and $24,100
Trooper looks beyond the ticket and removes a drug trafficker from Tennessee highways
NASHVILLE - On Tuesday February 8, 2017, Trooper Rhett Campbell of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) stopped a 2017 Chevy Tahoe on Interstate 840. The vehicle was stopped at the one mile-marker in Dickson County for a traffic violation. Trooper Campbell made contact with the driver, Miguel Angel Pena, 42, of Rio Grande City, TX. During their conversation Trooper Campbell asked Pena about his travel plans. Pena stated he was going to Knoxville to purchase a tractor-trailer, but could not provide any specifics when questioned. As the conversation continued, Trooper Campbell observed possible criminal indicators.
Trooper Campbell asked Pena to search the vehicle and received verbal consent. Trooper Jeremy Miller arrived on the scene and a thorough search of the vehicle was conducted. The troopers located five bundles of cash hidden inside the center console, and two kilos of cocaine in the vehicle’s air filter. The cocaine weighed approximately four pounds and 12 ounces. A final count of the money totaled $24,100.00.
Pena was arrested without incident and charged with possession of a schedule two drug for resale and also money laundering. Trooper Campbell transported Pena to the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office where his booking photo can be obtained.
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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Trooper looks beyond the ticket and removes a drug trafficker from Tennessee highways
NASHVILLE - On Tuesday February 8, 2017, Trooper Rhett Campbell of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) stopped a 2017 Chevy Tahoe on Interstate 840. The vehicle was stopped at the one mile-marker in Dickson County for a traffic violation. Trooper Campbell made contact with the driver, Miguel Angel Pena, 42, of Rio Grande City, TX. During their conversation Trooper Campbell asked Pena about his travel plans. Pena stated he was going to Knoxville to purchase a tractor-trailer, but could not provide any specifics when questioned. As the conversation continued, Trooper Campbell observed possible criminal indicators.
Trooper Campbell asked Pena to search the vehicle and received verbal consent. Trooper Jeremy Miller arrived on the scene and a thorough search of the vehicle was conducted. The troopers located five bundles of cash hidden inside the center console, and two kilos of cocaine in the vehicle’s air filter. The cocaine weighed approximately four pounds and 12 ounces. A final count of the money totaled $24,100.00.
Pena was arrested without incident and charged with possession of a schedule two drug for resale and also money laundering. Trooper Campbell transported Pena to the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office where his booking photo can be obtained.
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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