FLAG POND — Two Kingsport residents have been charged with possession of more than a kilogram of crack cocaine following a traffic stop that occurred earlier this week along Interstate 26 in Unicoi County.
According to a news release from Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Frank Rogers, a Tennessee State Trooper stopped a vehicle driven by Ronisha Dully, 24, 3412 Stafford St., Kingsport, for speeding early Sunday morning. Rogers said the stop occurred near Exit 50 of westbound Interstate 26.
Officers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol summoned a K-9 officer from the sheriff’s department and, followed a positive alert from K-9 Ajax, officers conducted a search of the vehicle, according to the release.
The release said the search revealed the vehicle contained 40 ounces of crack cocaine.
David Cabelle, 28, 1056 Union St., Kingsport, was also charged, and according to the release, Cabelle claimed ownership of the cocaine.
Rogers said the estimated street value of the seizure is approximately $120,000.
“It’s a substantial quantity based on what I’ve seen,” Rogers said. “It’s uncommon to see that much that’s been refined into that crack state.”
Rogers also said the traffic stop shows the importance of interdiction patrols by authorities.
“I am convinced that this type of drug trafficking is a daily occurrence on this highway based on my training and experience,” he said.
Cabelle is housed in the Unicoi County Jail and is being held on a $100,000 corporate bond. Dully is out on $25,000 bond.