A routine traffic stop in Murfreesboro resulted in the seizure of drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars in cash.
According to Murfreesboro police, officers pulled over a U-Haul on Wednesday after the driver, 58-year-old James Miller of Marshall, Missouri, failed to stop at a stop sign.
Officers searched the U-Haul after a K9 unit detected the scent of narcotics. Officers found eight ounces of heroin/fentanyl, nearly 15.9 g of crack cocaine, seven ecstasy pills, a loaded AR rifle, a loaded pistol, drug paraphernalia, and $672,079 in cash inside the U-Haul.
Miller and his passenger, Samantha Ortega, 31, both from Missouri, were charged with manufacturing, distributing, selling, and possessing schedule I and II drugs. Both are also accused of possessing drug paraphernalia, while Miller is accused of possessing firearms in the commission of a dangerous felony.
“We are extremely proud of our Directed Patrol Unit officers and SID detectives in getting these dangerous drugs and guns off the street,” said Special Investigation Division Narcotics Unit Sergeant Jacob Fountain. “This sends a clear message to drug dealers; this type of activity will not be tolerated in Murfreesboro.”
Miller is being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, while Ortega is being held on a $200,000 bond. A hearing in Rutherford County General Sessions Court has been scheduled for May 16.