Traffic Stop for Seatbelt Violation by Crime Suppression Unit Officer Leads to Drug Arrest

15-1277 Miguel Rodriguez  (2)

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A man was arrested after being stopped for not wearing a seatbelt, and officers found marijuana hidden in M&M candy containers. On Thursday, January 15, 2015 around 4:30 p.m., a Crime Suppression Unit officer stopped Miguel Rodriguez, 27, of Nashville because he was driving his 2003 Ford Escort on West Division Street near South Greenhill Road without a seatbelt on.

While the officer was speaking to Rodriguez through the driver window, he noticed that Rodriguez was extremely nervous and there was a strong marijuana odor emitting from inside the car. Rodriquez told the officer that he had a marijuana pipe and small amount of marijuana in his car, but officers found more after searching. Inside the passenger area of the car, officers found 2 grams of marijuana hidden in M&M candy containers. A large duffel bag was located in the trunk, and officers found an additional 39 grams of marijuana in multiple prepackaged baggies and plastic containers in the bag. Other items located in Rodriguez’s possession were multiple pipes, Swisher Sweet cigarillos, five home marijuana drug testing kits, and a large machete inside a black sheath.

15-1277 Miguel Rodriguez  (6)

15-1277 Miguel Rodriguez  (4)

A check for surrounding warrants revealed that Rodriguez had an active warrant out of Metro-Nashville for Failure to be Booked.

Rodriguez was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Possession of Schedule VI Drug with Intent to Resale, Simple Possession of Schedule VI Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Prohibited/Unlawful Weapon. He is set to appear in court on May 28, 2015 under a $15,000.00 bond.

Miguel Rodriguez, 27, of Nashville

Miguel Rodriguez, 27, of Nashville

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