A traffic stop by a Columbia County Deputy Sheriff has led to a large amount of illegal drugs being taken off the streets.
On Tuesday, May 15, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a car travelling on I75 near mile marker 429 for speeding and driving too fast for conditions while taking part in the Domestic Highway Enforcement Program.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office participates in the Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) monthly. The DHE program is designed to disrupt criminal activity along major U.S. Highways. The interdiction officers participating in this program are trained in criminal drug interdiction, detecting fraud, and domestic terrorism.
As the Deputy issued the driver a citation for the infractions, a narcotic detection canine team conducted a walk-around of the car. The K9 alerted on the vehicle and the driver was detained.
A subsequent search of the car produced approximately 16.8 pounds of methamphetamine and 2293 grams of heroin both with a combined street value of approximately $360,000.
The County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force was notified and assumed the investigation. The driver, James Moss, 34 of LaGrange, Georgia was arrested and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility on possession of drug equipment $5000 bond, drug trafficking $250,000 bond and heroin trafficking $250,000.
“It’s always best to stop the drugs before they get into a community”, Sheriff Mark Hunter said. “This is the latest in a long list of such accomplishments by your Deputies and the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force.”
The Drug Task force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
drugs seized as a result of the traffic stop
booking photo of James Moss
