TPD: Man Throws 3 Pounds Of Cocaine Out Window In Fosters

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The West Alabama Narcotics Task Force is asking for the public's help locating a drug trafficking suspect who threw more than three pounds of cocaine from the window of a Camaro before he escaped into a wooded area off Interstate 20/59 on Tuesday.

Investigators with the multi-agency task force have warrants to charge Dedrick Dawon McDowell, 23, with trafficking cocaine, failure to affix a tax stamp, reckless endangerment, second-degree possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, attempt to elude and tampering with physical evidence.

Task Force agents reportedly received a tip that McDowell would be arriving in Tuscaloosa Tuesday afternoon with a large quantity of illegal drugs. Agents then initiated a traffic stop near the 61 mile marker of Interstate 20/59 northbound at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

While McDowell stopped and identified himself, investigators say he pulled away as an officer was standing by his driver’s side door. He then crashed his black Chevrolet Camaro into a tractor-trailer and a guardrail about a half mile further north on the interstate.

In a release on Friday, the Task Force said a passing motorist informed officers that he had seen the driver throw what looked like a brick of cocaine from the car window, which busted into several pieces and fell down into the ravine alongside the highway in Fosters.

Police were then unable to locate McDowell after he ran into the heavily wooded property next to the interstate. While numerous agencies searched the area for several hours, McDowell managed to elude capture.

However, officers did recover more than three and a half pounds of cocaine worth an estimated wholesale value of $65,000, which the Task Force says could have been broken down and sold for up to $250,000.

The Task Force pointed out that the investigation is ongoing and could result in additional charges for other individuals. Investigators also said McDowell’s bond on recent, unrelated charges has been revoked.

Those with information concerning McDowell's whereabout are asked to call the Task Force at (205) 248-4748, the Tuscaloosa Police Department at (205) 349-2121 or CrimeStoppers at (205) 752-STOP(7867).

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