Traffic stop leads to trafficking arrest
RUSSELLVILLE — A traffic stop following what appeared to be an alleged drug deal led to a drug trafficking arrest after police executed a search warrant at the Holiday Plaza Apartments.
Police Lt. Michael Miller said officers saw what they believed to be a drug deal go down and followed up with a traffic stop near a bank on the 13000 block of U.S. Highway 43.
Miller said a small amount of Spice (synthetic marijuana) and $4,500 in cash was found on Ray Edward Nelson’s person on Friday.
Police secured a search warrant for Nelson’s apartment and found more than 120 grams of Spice packaged for resale inside his bedroom along with digital scales.
The street value of Spice at that amount is $2,000, according to Colbert County Task Force Director Curtis Burns.
Nelson, 66, was arrested and charged with one count each of drug trafficking, illegal distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nelson was booked into the Russellville City Jail Friday afternoon and transferred Monday morning to the Franklin County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
