I-24 Traffic Stop Leads To Massie Drug Bust; 4 Arrested with 120K Fentanyl Pills and 30 Pounds of Meth in Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee: Law enforcement authorities have made significant progress in dismantling a major drug operation, leading to the apprehension of three individuals and the confiscation of a staggering 120,000 fentanyl pills across multiple states.

An arrest report reveals that multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), were alerted on Monday, Jan. 29 regarding a rental vehicle suspected of transporting a significant amount of narcotics from Los Angeles to Nashville.

A recent investigation uncovered that a 40-year-old individual named Derrick Johnson from Nashville had traveled to California and was returning to Nashville in a rental SUV, carrying illegal substances.

Officials noticed the car as it crossed into Tennessee from Kentucky, leading law enforcement to conduct a traffic stop on I-24 in Davidson County near the Old Hickory Boulevard exit north of downtown.

Antonio Johnson, the driver of the SUV, complied with the order and exited the vehicle on the shoulder of the interstate. According to investigators, Derrick then quickly took control of the driver’s seat and drove away.

During the traffic stop, a police helicopter observed the SUV and witnessed the disposal of two duffle bags in East Nashville. Derrick made a brief stop on McFerrin Avenue near Ellington Parkway, where his passenger Ruth Bailey, 39, exited the vehicle before being apprehended by authorities.

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Meanwhile, authorities reported that Derrick proceeded to S. 8th Street, exited the SUV, and swiftly entered Cayce Homes. The helicopter guided officers to his location and he was apprehended without any trouble.

During their investigation, authorities observed activity at Derrick’s residence on Lischey Avenue. They witnessed a woman, later identified as Latoya Kinnard, placing a sizable duffle bag near the trash cans.

During the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at the residence. Inside, they discovered a significant quantity of fentanyl pills, along with a mixture of methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as various items commonly associated with drug distribution.

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The majority of the items were discovered in the duffle bag that Kinnard was observed carrying.

A significant amount of pressed fentanyl pills, totaling 12 pounds (approximately 120,000 pills), along with 27 pounds of meth, were confiscated by investigators.

Derrick faces charges related to drug distribution, evading arrest, and tampering with evidence. The bond set for his release is $175,000.

Antonio faces charges related to the distribution of meth and fentanyl. The bond has been set at $150,000.

Bailey faces charges of conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl, felony evading, and tampering with evidence. She is currently being detained on a bond amounting to $155,000.

Finally, Kinnard faces charges of conspiring to distribute meth and fentanyl, as well as tampering with evidence. The bond has been set at $85,000.

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