Two arrested in traffic stop, 1 kilo of cocaine seized
A traffic stop Tuesday by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of two men on drug trafficking charges, the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine, and the seizure of cash, cell phones, and two firearms, including one with a high-capacity magazine. (Photo by Michael Erb)
A traffic stop Tuesday by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of two men on drug trafficking charges, the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine, and the seizure of cash, cell phones, and two firearms, including one with a high-capacity magazine. (Photo by MIchael Erb)
Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks, left, and Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil, right, announced Tuesday the arrest of two men and the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 77. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Washington County Sheriff’s Office K9 Rita helped with arrest of two men and the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine Tuesday during a traffic stop on Interstate 77. Rita’s handler, Deputy R.M. Zide, made the initial stop and was backed up by Deputy Steve Roe. (Photo by Michael Erb)
A traffic stop Tuesday by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of two men on drug trafficking charges, the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine, and the seizure of cash, cell phones, and two firearms, including one with a high-capacity magazine. (Photo by Michael Erb)
A traffic stop Tuesday by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of two men on drug trafficking charges, the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine, and the seizure of cash, cell phones, and two firearms, including one with a high-capacity magazine. (Photo by MIchael Erb)
Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks, left, and Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil, right, announced Tuesday the arrest of two men and the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 77. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Washington County Sheriff’s Office K9 Rita helped with arrest of two men and the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine Tuesday during a traffic stop on Interstate 77. Rita’s handler, Deputy R.M. Zide, made the initial stop and was backed up by Deputy Steve Roe. (Photo by Michael Erb)
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MARIETTA -- A traffic stop by the Washington County Sheriff's Office Tuesday resulted in two arrests and the seizure of more than a kilo of cocaine, one of the largest traffic stop drug seizures in the department's history.
Denzell J. Atlas and Glenn Williams of Greensboro, N.C., were arrested Tuesday after a traffic stop on Interstate 77. According to the arrest affidavit, the two were stopped near mile marker 6 on I-77 after Deputy R.M. Zide saw their Chevy Camaro swerve in and out of its lane multiple times.
Zide said a check of Atlas showed an active warrant out of Ohio for firearms violations. Zide was backed up by Deputy Steve Roe and K9 Rita, who alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.
Officers found a 9mm handgun under the front driver's seat, a second loaded handgun in the trunk of the car. Also found in the trunk was a package wrapped in foil and black tape which showed traces of powder. The package later tested positive as cocaine and weighed 1.1 kilograms.
Also found were more than $1,700 in cash and six cell phones, officials said.
"We're looking forward to seeing what's on those phones," Mincks said.
Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil said with the amount of drugs found the two men will face charges of drug trafficking, which could carry a sentence of 11-16.5 years.
"This is a significant sentence they could be facing based upon arrest," she said. "There were weapons involved here" which could result in additional charges, Mincks said. One of those guns contained a high-capacity magazine which could hold up to 30 rounds, officials said.
Officials said this was the largest drug bust stemming from a traffic stop the department has seen.
"That is a pretty substantial seizure anyplace in the Mid-Ohio Valley. A kilo is a lot," Mincks said. "We've seized a kilo before on a warrant, but not a traffic stop."
"To put it in perspective, one-tenth of that amount (of drugs seized) would qualify you as a major drug offender," Coil said, "so that was a significant amount."