Three kilograms of cocaine valued at $75,000 were confiscated during a traffic stop Wednesday, Feb. 2 on Interstate 24 by Rutherford County Interstate Crime Enforcement deputies, a supervisor said.
 
The cocaine was described as “high quality,” said Lt. Chris Haynes, who supervises the ICE unit. Before distribution, the dealer would have added fillers to the cocaine for a potential street value of $150,000 to $200,000.
 
ICE Deputy Christian Wrather was patrolling Feb. 2 on I-24 when he stopped a truck for a traffic offense at the Joe B. Jackson Parkway exit.
 
The driver gave ICE deputies consent to search the truck. While searching, the driver fled but his companion, Galdina Perez, remained. During the search, ICE deputies recovered 6.6 pounds of cocaine from the truck.
 
Wrather charged Perez, 27, of Marietta, Ga., with felony possession of cocaine. A check showed she is an illegal immigrant. She is being held at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for possible deportation.
 
Arrest warrants were obtained against the driver of the truck.

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One suspect who pleaded guilty on a methamphetamine-related charge was arrested for new methamphetamine charges two hours later Thursday by the same officer.
 
Suspect Shannon Lee Blythe, 33, of East Fork Drive near Murfreesboro, was charged with promotion of methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine and introducing contraband into a penal institution by Interstate Crime Enforcement Deputy Christian Wrather.

Wrather charged Blythe with felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute Aug. 16. Blythe entered a plea to criminal conspiracy earlier Thursday in General Sessions Court.
 
Blythe was driving about two hours later on Medical Center Parkway when Wrather stopped him for a license plate registered to a truck other than the one he drove.
 
Wrather asked Blythe about the August charges. Blythe replied he just entered a plea. Wrather asked how Blythe was doing in regards to staying clean from the methamphetamine.
 
“He stated he was trying to stay clean and was attempting to ‘get my life together,’” Wrather reported.
 
Blythe gave consent to search his vehicle. Sgt. Shawn Applegate and his K-9 Jett walked around the truck and Jett indicated drugs were in the truck. While searching, Wrather located several ingredients and materials used to produce methamphetamine.
 
Deputies seized Blythe’s Ford F-150 pickup truck and $167 cash believed related to the methamphetamine.
 
While booking, Blythe admitted to having a small amount of methamphetamine hidden in his clothing, Wrather said. About two grams of methamphetamine was recovered from him.
 
Because Blythe was out on bond for other charges, the magistrate set his bond at $90,000. He is being held in Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. A hearing is scheduled March 30 in General Sessions Court.