A routine traffic stop in Evansville turns up a big drug bust for police.
It happened Wednesday afternoon along Highway 41 just north of Interstate 164. Indiana State Police say they pulled over an SUV for doing 68 in a 50 mile per hour zone, but they weren't just speeding.
Inside, troopers say they found thousands of dollars worth of marijuana and cocaine.
"I think it's safe to say that we have drugs that are being transported up and down our highways every single day," said State Trooper Todd Ringle. "Unfortunately, we're not finding them every day. It's like finding a needle in a haystack."
Ringle says drugs seized during a traffic stop Wednesday weren't just being transported. They were packaged to sell.
"Yesterday, we took over 300 grams of marijuana nearly 10 grams of cocaine off the streets. There's no doubt in our minds that those drugs were going to be on the streets very, very shortly."
Ringle says troopers found 87 plastic baggies of marijuana, and 15 baggies of cocaine.
He says lesser violations like speeding can sometimes lead to these much more serious crimes.
"If I knew that I was transporting over 300 grams of marijuana and nearly 10 grams of cocaine, I would be driving the speed limit," Ringle said.
25-year-old Shurrod Strong of Morganfield and 24-year-old Antonette Glass of Georgia were arrested.
They're now accused of dealing and possession.
"If we arrest one drug dealer, unfortunately there's another person ready to take his position so our work is never done," Ringle noted. "We will continue to go out there and get as much drugs off the street as we can but it's a never ending battle."
It won't be long before I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis is finished, and although troopers say they're excited about the new interstate, there's also no doubt in their minds that it will be used more frequently to transport drugs.
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Both suspects are facing charges including dealing and possession of cocaine and marijuana.
