Arkansas – Arkansas State Police troopers seized approximately 59 pounds of illegal marijuana, 200 grams of THC vape products and $4,510 in cash during two traffic stops Wednesday, Sept. 23, on eastbound Interstate 40 in Pope County.
The traffic stops occurred less than two hours apart and resulted in the arrests of three people, according to ASP.
At about 2:15 p.m., troopers stopped a Nissan Rogue traveling eastbound on I-40 near mile marker 72 for traffic violations.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of suitcases containing 30 individually packaged bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 30 pounds, per reports.
The driver, Darnell Keith Russell Reed, 39, of Waynesboro, Virginia, and passenger Ashley Renee Carter, 36, also of Waynesboro, were arrested.
Troopers also seized $4,510 in cash from Carter.
Reed and Carter were transported to the Pope County Detention Center and were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver. Reed was also found to be driving on a suspended license.
About two hours later, at approximately 4:15 p.m., troopers stopped a Ford Bronco Sport traveling eastbound on I-40 near mile marker 77 for a traffic violation.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 29 vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana weighing approximately 29 pounds, along with 100 THC vape cartridges.
The driver, Jermaine Bowers, 35, was arrested and transported to the Pope County Detention Center. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver.
ASP said the investigation remains ongoing and no additional information was being released at this time.