By Oliver Sheehan
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana —
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper discovered 350 pounds of marijuana with a street value of up to $280,000 on Tuesday, when he stopped a car heading northbound on I-45 for suspected traffic violations.
The suspect, Andrel Spates, 27, from Lawrence, Kansas, was arrested and charged with possession of over 50 pounds, but under 2,000 pounds of marijuana which is a second-degree felony.
In total 28 bricks were discovered on the back seat and in the trunk of the black BMW 750.
He was released Wednesday from the Navarro County Jail after posting a $50,000 bond. He was indicted by Justice of the Peace Bob McQuary and charged with possession of marijuana over 50 pounds, but under 2,000.
Trooper John Nelson is credited with arresting the suspect.
“Once I stopped him he would not roll down the window. I sat him in my vehicle, opened the trunk and discovered the drugs, some in black bags and the rest wrapped in film on the back seat. It was just a cut-and-dry stop,” said Nelson.
“When the car was purchased in February it only had 24,000 miles on it. Yesterday it had over 42,000 miles on it, so in three months, he has done a lot of driving.”
The suspect also claimed that he was being followed by two white men in a pickup truck who were both armed with guns and dangerous. This led to Nelson calling for backup from Corsicana Police Department but despite an extensive search, no evidence of the other vehicle was found.
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Oliver Sheehan may be reached by e-mail at oliver@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
