Union County traffic stop nets 300-plus pounds of pot

Union County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Eric Logsdon, his K-9 partner Ceazor, and Deputy Johnny Collins seized 335 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop Saturday. (Union County Sheriff’s Office.)

Photo by Union County Sheriff's Office

Union County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Eric Logsdon, his K-9 partner Ceazor, and Deputy Johnny Collins seized 335 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop Saturday. (Union County Sheriff’s Office.)

Martin Urrutia Olmedo (Union County Sheriff's Office.)

Photo by Union County Sheriff's Office

Martin Urrutia Olmedo (Union County Sheriff's Office.)

A routine traffic stop of a suspected drunken driver in Union County led to the discovery of more than 300 pounds of marijuana, authorities said.

Deputies stopped the Nissan truck shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday along state Highway 33 in Maynardville after E-911 dispatchers received reports of the vehicle driving erratically, according to Union County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Butcher.

The deputy noticed several packages inside the vehicle and a subsequent K-9 search of the truck uncovered approximately 335 pounds of pot in 15 separate packages, Butcher said.

The driver, Martin Urrutia Olmedo, 26, of Knoxville, was charged with manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance, DUI, driving without a license and a financial responsibility violation.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation, Butcher said.

Olmedo was being held in Union County Jail without bond Sunday, pending a court appearance Thursday.

More details as they develop online and in Monday’s News Sentinel.

Get Copyright Permissions © 2013, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2013 Knoxville News Sentinel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  • Discuss
  • Print

Comments » 53

Model_94 writes:

Just doing the jobs Americans don't want to do.

Flabbergasted writes:

Brilliant!

keeso1 writes:

Lol!!! You can't make it up...

1BigJim writes:

Would love to know his immigration status and whover that belonged to is not going to be happy! If that belongs or better yet belonged to one of those upstanding south of the border cartels he may be in for a short prison term!

dareldonahue writes:

Heres another bill the tax payers will have to pay ! Just make the phooey legal and be done with it save us all some money ..

Ringo writes:

Glad he didn't wind up killing anyone on the hwy. Whether pot is legal or illegal, it's still DUI. Throw the book at him.

knoxtaxpayer1 writes:

oh, i am sure he was just passing thru,on his way back home,,,to el' mexico,,,,or south knoxville ?

letsdebate writes:

Another "worlds dumbest criminal"segment. Cant hold off on the sauce till ya deliver 300 lbs of pot,lol. See,cheaper labor isnt always the best labor...

GOJO writes:

No driver's licene, no insurance,DUI, erratic driving & hauling an illegal substance.
What coud possibly go wrong?

PetulantVol writes:

in response to knoxtaxpayer1:

oh, i am sure he was just passing thru,on his way back home,,,to el' mexico,,,,or south knoxville ?

Keep South Knoxville out of this. There is drug crime everywhere in our fair city and the South Knoxville Area probably has way less than other parts of the city.

laraccoon writes:

they will torch well over $600,000 dollars worth of pot, for cash strapped local governments how much sense does that make ? I know there really is not much of an alternative under existing laws . just seems like a waste when you can practically walk into almost any store around and find something much worse in the cooler. as the laws do change ,and they will change no matter how much the rednecks in local government resist ,Tennessee will lag behind like they always do missing out on tax revenue on a crop well suited for our climate !

slee writes:

what a dumb a-s carrying that much drug while being drunk or high

hicks2889#1417209 writes:

Ceazor! Nice looking dog you got there boys.

overthetop writes:

Does Union County make all their deputies cut their hair like that or is it just a look they go for these days? Big weekend for the "Onion" county boys. Might be able to get the parking lot re-paved with that haul.

cejensen writes:

The driver, Martin Urrutia Olmedo, 26, of Knoxville, was charged with manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance, DUI, driving without a license and a financial responsibility violation.-
------------------------------
Omelda says, "no mon, that was not for delivery, that was for personal consumption. Didn't you see the way I was driving?"

joevol72#336723 writes:

Come on Martin! You're not even tryin'!

Axemanagain writes:

Considering it only takes a few minutes to drive all the way thru Union County at a normal speed, and that this guy had a bunch of weed, his "erratic" driving was probably that he was only going about 15 mph.

VestalQueen writes:

in response to PetulantVol:

Keep South Knoxville out of this. There is drug crime everywhere in our fair city and the South Knoxville Area probably has way less than other parts of the city.

I agree PetVol, not to mention a small number of Hispanics.

NomDePlume writes:

in response to Model_94:

Just doing the jobs Americans don't want to do.

And a job Americans don't want done. Legalize it, maaaaaan.

Volphanatic writes:

Great job Union County Law enforcement. Unlike some of the losers posting here, I appreciate you all getting this low down loser off the roads, before he killed somebody, and the drug bust was just icing on the cake. CONGRATS!

DukeDeLuca2 writes:

"But officer, it's just for my own personal use..."

GoodGriefTN writes:

in response to laraccoon:

they will torch well over $600,000 dollars worth of pot, for cash strapped local governments how much sense does that make ? I know there really is not much of an alternative under existing laws . just seems like a waste when you can practically walk into almost any store around and find something much worse in the cooler. as the laws do change ,and they will change no matter how much the rednecks in local government resist ,Tennessee will lag behind like they always do missing out on tax revenue on a crop well suited for our climate !

Exactly right!

hatethevols writes:

in response to laraccoon:

they will torch well over $600,000 dollars worth of pot, for cash strapped local governments how much sense does that make ? I know there really is not much of an alternative under existing laws . just seems like a waste when you can practically walk into almost any store around and find something much worse in the cooler. as the laws do change ,and they will change no matter how much the rednecks in local government resist ,Tennessee will lag behind like they always do missing out on tax revenue on a crop well suited for our climate !

Great observation.

CRAZYKNOX75 writes:

And look at bubba posed there in front of the plant that he seized from someone with his sleeves rolled up He looks pretty tough don't he...what a joke.

progressiveliberal75#1417004 writes:

Legalize it already. All it being illegal is doing is bringing the mexican cartels to TN.

cejensen writes:

CRAZYKNOX75 writes:
And look at bubba posed there in front of the plant that he seized from someone with his sleeves rolled up He looks pretty tough don't he...what a joke.
------------------------
Ah, that would be Mr. Bullethead to you, sir.

Axemanagain writes:

in response to progressiveliberal75#1417004:

Legalize it already. All it being illegal is doing is bringing the mexican cartels to TN.

I dare you go to a town hall for a "conservative" candidate in the next election cycle, declare yourself a true believer in the "cause" and then call for them to legalize marijuana.

TheSheriff writes:

These officers did a great thing today. That marijuana would've produced many violent outbursts amongst the community of the intended destination. Way to keep us safe boys!!

LinusUpp writes:

Takes a real brainiac to drive drunk with 300 lbs of weed in the car.

3belgianmalinoisowner writes:

That's a nice looking Belgian Malinois, great job K9.

cejensen writes:

If they legalized marihanna, Mr. Bullethead and Fido would be unemployed and left to compete in Frisby contests. I know they rate the dogs on athletic ability, but I don't know if they give extra points for biting on command?

mykidsmom4 writes:

in response to knoxtaxpayer1:

oh, i am sure he was just passing thru,on his way back home,,,to el' mexico,,,,or south knoxville ?

Or could it be North, East or Center? No wait! The WEST! Yea, it could even be the big"W". Wow!

overthetop writes:

in response to 3belgianmalinoisowner:

That's a nice looking Belgian Malinois, great job K9.

Gee, and I thought it was a pit bull. Shows what I know, huh?

3belgianmalinoisowner writes:

They do give points, it's called Schutzhund Training. Very popular sport. I prefer my dogs for my home protection, although I have been in the Marines for 26 years and know how to use a weapon, I'm somewhat intrigued about the look on a thugs face if they try to enter my residance unannounced.

Sanfu writes:

I love to read pothead logic.

LRader6987 writes:

in response to TheSheriff:

These officers did a great thing today. That marijuana would've produced many violent outbursts amongst the community of the intended destination. Way to keep us safe boys!!

Yep, the stoners a really violent group of folks.....

cejensen writes:

LRader6987 writes:
in response to TheSheriff:

These officers did a great thing today. That marijuana would've produced many violent outbursts amongst the community of the intended destination. Way to keep us safe boys!!

Yep, the stoners a really violent group of folks.....
--------------------------
They are certainly murderous on a pan of brownies.

wildwoodflower writes:

in response to cejensen:

If they legalized marihanna, Mr. Bullethead and Fido would be unemployed and left to compete in Frisby contests. I know they rate the dogs on athletic ability, but I don't know if they give extra points for biting on command?

when an emergency happens you will be the first one to call "Mr. Bullethead and Fido" to protect your butt. This isn't just about the marijuana they got, the dude was drunk driving and had no insurance. God forbid he had hit somebody and killed them. Sgt. Logsdon did a great service to the citizens of Union County this weekend and everyday!!!!!!

VestalQueen writes:

in response to TheSheriff:

These officers did a great thing today. That marijuana would've produced many violent outbursts amongst the community of the intended destination. Way to keep us safe boys!!

Violent outbursts? You are trippin', man.

progressiveliberal75#1417004 writes:

in response to 3belgianmalinoisowner:

They do give points, it's called Schutzhund Training. Very popular sport. I prefer my dogs for my home protection, although I have been in the Marines for 26 years and know how to use a weapon, I'm somewhat intrigued about the look on a thugs face if they try to enter my residance unannounced.

I have 2 german sheppards and a couple of really sharp machettes for clearing brush. I pity the person that thinks they can trespass on my property.

cejensen writes:

wildwoodflower writes:
in response to cejensen:

If they legalized marihanna, Mr. Bullethead and Fido would be unemployed and left to compete in Frisby contests. I know they rate the dogs on athletic ability, but I don't know if they give extra points for biting on command?

when an emergency happens you will be the first one to call "Mr. Bullethead and Fido" to protect your butt. This isn't just about the marijuana they got, the dude was drunk driving and had no insurance. God forbid he had hit somebody and killed them. Sgt. Logsdon did a great service to the citizens of Union County this weekend and everyday!!!!!!
--------------------------------------
Taking an uninsured drunk driver off the road was certainly a good deed. Hassling a guy over a commercial transaction...not so much.

Fall_Creek_Vols writes:

in response to cejensen:

If they legalized marihanna, Mr. Bullethead and Fido would be unemployed and left to compete in Frisby contests. I know they rate the dogs on athletic ability, but I don't know if they give extra points for biting on command?

Sorry, CE, you missed on this one. There's enough stuff out there that is truly destructive with devastating effects to keep 'em all busy, Meth, crack, coke, heroin and pills of all sorts. It came as a surprise to me how heroin has made a comeback in some places...and it kills.

It all seems to me that it's a mis-allocation of resources, archaic laws not withstanding. Legalize it, regulate it and tax the hell out of it. Use some of the revenue to go after the chemical peddlers.

By the way, I invite you to personally give "Mr. Bullet Head" and "Fido" their nicknames. I'd buy a ticket to see what happens.

Sailer writes:

Think how many people will now be going to work on time, not sleeping on the couch all day and making some sense when they speak. It's fun to read the loopers complain about not being able to readily get their favorite stoner smoke. The fact remains even if it is legal, you can't get a job with free medical if you can't pass random drug tests. Making it legal makes a whole bunch of people second class citizens forever. We do need people to cut grass, clean bathrooms and wash cars however.

GoodGriefTN writes:

in response to TheSheriff:

These officers did a great thing today. That marijuana would've produced many violent outbursts amongst the community of the intended destination. Way to keep us safe boys!!

That's just crazy. Misinformed people like that are the main reason it remains illegal. It's obvious that this person has never been around anyone that was smoking a joint. People like that don't let facts stand in the way of emotion and stupidity. Violent? That's absurd. Pink Floyd and lava lamps - that's more like it.

Volphanatic writes:

I take it some of you lefty Socialists would rather have some U.N. Blue Helmets taking care of you? Well, you may not have to wait long. Your Comrades are trying to make it happen as we speak.

VestalQueen writes:

in response to Sailer:

Think how many people will now be going to work on time, not sleeping on the couch all day and making some sense when they speak. It's fun to read the loopers complain about not being able to readily get their favorite stoner smoke. The fact remains even if it is legal, you can't get a job with free medical if you can't pass random drug tests. Making it legal makes a whole bunch of people second class citizens forever. We do need people to cut grass, clean bathrooms and wash cars however.

Not true, Sailer. One can be a first class citizen, retain and keep a job and have medical coverage. One can also clean bathrooms as a second job while maintaining the first job and speaking correct English..or Appalachian American as the case might be.

3belgianmalinoisowner writes:

I don't understand why people don't like officers of the law. If you are a law abiding citizen then you should have no problem with them or their K9 partners. If you have a problem maybe you should follow the laws of the land and they will not bother you. Yes they are a few bad apples in the police force but name me a profession that doesn't have them. Bottom line obey the law and move on. Semper Fi.

avenger9 writes:

in response to progressiveliberal75#1417004:

I have 2 german sheppards and a couple of really sharp machettes for clearing brush. I pity the person that thinks they can trespass on my property.

You do realize that most dogs are easily defeated and can be defeated? They provide at most a warning, but not a deterrence to a determined bad guy who is smart or armed. They can be a good early warning system.

A gun is the only really good option that works more often and it is much harder to defeat.

avenger9 writes:

And of course this guy is one of the very ones obama and the dims want to give amnesty and free benefits to.

3belgianmalinoisowner writes:

Avenger9, I partially agree with what you said. Most untrained dogs would be just a early warning. However if you have trained protection dogs they can handle the situations. You have to remember most thugs that break in would not know how to handle three well trained Malinois coming at them. I would even get off my couch other than to drag them back outside. I might lose one dog but the others will take care of business. Like I said in an earlier post I have weapons in my home and I can promise that the thug would rather be shot than have my dogs clamp down on them. Each is own I guess.

Share your thoughts

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.

Comments can be shared on Facebook and Yahoo!. Add both options by connecting your profiles.

Features