I-20 Arrests Net Drugs, Guns, Money, Escaped Convict

Felony Interception Narcotics Detection Units from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglasville Police Department made numerous arrests and seized drugs, weapons and cars during the last two weeks of August on Interstate 20.

All of the arrests began as traffic stops.

Here’s a rundown of FIND Unit arrests during the period:

Friday, Aug. 14

A 2007 Acura occupied by two males was stopped for a traffic violation. During the investigation, a K-9 unit detected marjuana hidden in the gas door of the car. Xanaz pills in a sealed bag were also found. The suspects were arrested and face possession and intent-to-distribute drug charges.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

A 2009 Dodge Charger was stopped for a tag violation around 4 p.m. when the FIND deputy smelled a “strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.” The driver’s license was suspended and he was placed under arrest. During the search of the car, the deputy found a pound of marijuana in a bag hidden under the trunk liner. Spencer Dudley was charged with driving with a suspended license, and possession of and intent to distribute marijuana.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

An escapee from an Alabama work release center and a female who picked him up were arrested during a traffic stop for following too closely. Read the story here

Tuesday, Aug. 25

After a 2011 Mercedes with an expired tag was stopped, the driver told the deputy he did not have his license with him but was on his way to a location where it was. The driver, identified as Todge Varsia Thurman, also allegedly gave the deputy a false name. A K-9 unit was dispatched and gave a positive alert of suspected drugs in the vehicle.

A search found more than that. Along with marijuana, oxycodone pills, endocet tablets and cocaine, deputies found drug-related items used for packaging and selling drugs, one handgun, one assault rifles with numerous magazines, additional ammunition and cash.

Thurman was charged with giving a false name, two counts for possession of the firearms during the commission of a felony, two counts of possession of a schedule one or two drug with the intent to distribute, felony possession of marijuana, trafficking illegal drugs, possession of drug-related objects, not having drugs in original container, driving on a suspended license, and driving with an expired tag.

Wednesday, Aug. 26

A 2014 Hyundai was stopped around 1 p.m. for failure to maintain lane. Marion D. Jones, the driver of the vehicle, told deputies nothing illegal was in the car and that the car could be searched. Four bundles of cocaine weighing around 10 pounds was found. Jones was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Cocaine.

Photos: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office