LITTLE ROCK, AR — A malfunctioning license plate light and a lead foot helped Pulaski County Deputies seize more than 100 pounds of marijuana early Sunday morning.
According to a report from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), a deputy traveling east on Interstate 30 noticed a car had malfunctioning lights around the license plate, then saw the driver speed up to 76 mph in a 65 mph zone.
The deputy pulled the car over and spoke with the driver, later identifed as 24-year-old Rashad James, who told the deputy he was going to Memphis after visiting a friend at Henderson College. According to the report, the deputy saw two separate bags from gas stations with empty bottles and trash from food, as if he’d been driving for a long time, but didn’t notice any other luggage or clothing inside the vehicle.
After discovering that the car was from “a known source area for high narcotics traffic,” and using his “drug interdiction training,” the deputy asked for consent to search the vehicle, which James granted, according to the report.
PCSO says due to the wet and cold conditions, the suspect was allowed to stay in the car as the deputy searched the trunk of the vehicle, where he found four cardboard boxes containing 116.8 pounds of marijuana.
James was arrested and charged with speeding, possession of a schedule 6 controlled substance with purpose and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the arrest report, James admitted knowing that the drugs were in the vehicle.
According to a report from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), a deputy traveling east on Interstate 30 noticed a car had malfunctioning lights around the license plate, then saw the driver speed up to 76 mph in a 65 mph zone.
The deputy pulled the car over and spoke with the driver, later identifed as 24-year-old Rashad James, who told the deputy he was going to Memphis after visiting a friend at Henderson College. According to the report, the deputy saw two separate bags from gas stations with empty bottles and trash from food, as if he’d been driving for a long time, but didn’t notice any other luggage or clothing inside the vehicle.
After discovering that the car was from “a known source area for high narcotics traffic,” and using his “drug interdiction training,” the deputy asked for consent to search the vehicle, which James granted, according to the report.
PCSO says due to the wet and cold conditions, the suspect was allowed to stay in the car as the deputy searched the trunk of the vehicle, where he found four cardboard boxes containing 116.8 pounds of marijuana.
James was arrested and charged with speeding, possession of a schedule 6 controlled substance with purpose and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the arrest report, James admitted knowing that the drugs were in the vehicle.