On April 24th, 2024 at 9:59 AM when Sgt. Fields was stationed at the Hiwassee Road and Lebanon Highway intersection, he observed the suspect’s vehicle with a dirt bike in the truck bed. Recognizing the truck, Sgt. Fields initiated a traffic stop. Mr. Don Griffith complied and pulled over.
Upon request, Mr. Griffith stepped out of the vehicle and was placed in handcuffs. Sgt. Fields informed Mr. Griffith of his knowledge of the drugs in the vehicle, to which Mr. Griffith confirmed their presence. He also acknowledged that he was on probation.
Mr. Griffith disclosed that he had two kilos of drugs in a backpack behind the seat. After placing Mr. Griffith in the patrol unit, Sgt. Fields retrieved the backpack. The passenger, identified as Mr. Arelious Eden, was also detained but later released as he was found to have no involvement in the drug distribution.
A search of the vehicle yielded no additional drugs. However, Mr. Griffith revealed that he had 13 more kilos at his residence. Sgt. Fields, accompanied by K-9 Deputy Brady Dodson, proceeded to another location where they discovered the additional drugs.
The final search included 10 additional kilo bricks of a white powder believed to be fentanyl, along with multiple baggies of white powder and digital scales, found on the property. K-9 Udo was deployed to search multiple other vehicles on-site.
Mr. Griffith was charged with Possession of Schedule I and II substances with Intent to Deliver and Driving on a Revoked License. The 15 kilos of fentanyl were placed into evidence and submitted to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for analysis.î„•
