Troopers Intercept Marijuana Shipment

GEORGIA STATE PATROL

NEWS RELEASE

April 25, 2005                                                               Contact: TFC Larry Schnall

(LaFayette)—The Georgia State Patrol seized almost 1,700 pounds of marijuana as the result of a traffic stop Sunday morning in Dade County.  Troopers on patrol stopped a tractor trailer on Interstate 59 about four miles north of the Alabama State Line around 10:30 a.m. Sunday after the vehicle had been checked for speeding and was observed following other vehicles too closely.

During the course of the traffic stop, troopers became suspicious and asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle.  During the search, troopers found 75 bales of marijuana hidden in the trailer.  The total weight of the marijuana was 1,694 pounds.  The truck was loaded with peppers and was destined for New York.  The trip had originated in Arizona.

Troopers arrested the driver, Christopher Parkin, 41, of Alpharetta, Georgia and charged him with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act – Trafficking in Marijuana.  He was taken to the Dade County Jail.  The case remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.

-30-