Arkansas State Police make 2 stops, arrest 3, snag nearly 60 pounds of illegal marijuana on Interstate 40 in Pope County

– Arkansas State Police reported finding suitcases packed with bundles of illegal marijuana during one of two Wednesday traffic stops that resulted in nearly 60 pounds of the drug and other illegal items being seized.

Arrest and charges

The traffic stops on eastbound Interstate 40 occurred in Pope County about two hours apart and resulted in three arrests, according to a news release issued by State Police on Thursday.

In the first stop about 2:15 p.m., Darnell Keith Russell Reed, 39, and Ashley R.

Carter, 36, both of Waynesboro, Va., were arrested on suspicion of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver, according to State Police and Pope County Detention Center records.

Troopers stopped a Nissan Rogue headed east on I-40 near mile marker 72, citing traffic violations, the release states.

Reed was driving on a suspended license, according to authorities.

A search of the vehicle revealed suitcases containing 30 individually packaged bundles of illegal marijuana with a combined weight of approximately 30 pounds, State Police reported.

Case background

Troopers seized a total of approximately 59 pounds of illegal marijuana, 200 grams of THC vape products and $4,510 in cash during the stops, police reported.