Drugs discovered in car's engine

An ounce of marijuana, cash and a car were seized by sheriff's deputies recently after a traffic stop of two Tullahoma men resulted in arrests. (Bedford County Sheriff's Department photo) [Click to enlarge]

Two Tullahoma men are facing drug charges after a recent routine traffic stop by a Bedford County deputy revealed drugs hidden in the engine of a car.

Anthony Marice Potts, 32, and 29-year-old Dushawn Nathaniel Mitchell were both charged with possession of schedule VI (marijuana) for resale. Potts also faces charges of driving on a revoked license. Both are due to appear in Bedford County General Sessions court on July 7.

A report by Deputy Jonathan Elliott on June 4 stated he watched a maroon Chrysler Concorde cross the fog line on U.S. 41-A South and noticed that the tags had expired.

Elliott stopped the car just south of Normandy Road and spoke to the driver, Potts, who said they were returning from Murfreesboro "where they had been visiting some ladies," told Elliott he crossed the line after an oncoming vehicle's headlights had blinded him.

However, Elliott reported that he could smell marijuana from the vehicle. Det. Sgt. David Sakich arrived with the Bedford County's narcotics detection dog, Sem, as Elliott ran a license check on Potts.

Potts was asked if they could search the vehicle for contraband and with permission, Sakich took Sem to check out the car.

Sem alerted to the engine compartment and after searching the engine, Det. Sgt. Scott Jones found a clear zip-lock baggy under the air filter containing approximately 36 grams, or an ounce, of marijuana.

Both Potts and Mitchell were taken into custody. The owner of the car, a Murfreesboro woman to whom Potts was making payments, was contacted after the car was seized.

A total of $186 was seized from Potts and $36 was taken from Mitchell. Potts was released on $7,500 bond and Mitchell was freed on a bond of $4,000.