Cincinnati man caught with 50 lbs. of marijuana in I-75 traffic stop

Carl Bradshaw

Fines and court costs are the least of Carl Bradshaw’s worries after officers found approximately 50 pounds of marijuana in the back of his SUV after stopping him for speeding on Interstate 75 Thursday morning.

Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Steven Douglas said Bradshaw, 58, of Cincinnati, Ohio, told officers that he was delivering the marijuana, which was packaged in three blocks each weighing between 15 and 17 pounds, back to Cincinnati after picking it up in Atlanta.

"He told us he made this trip every few months and that it was his primary means of employment," Douglas said.

Douglas said he was in the process of setting up his radar at the turnaround near the Kentucky/Tennessee state line when he saw Bradshaw’s Chevrolet Tahoe coming north at a high rate of speed.

"I didn’t have the radar up and running yet, but it was very obvious he was going much faster than the posted speed limit," Douglas said.

Douglas said he was able to catch up to Bradshaw as he approached the rest area and when he activated his blue lights, Bradshaw cut off another vehicle as he tried to duck into the off ramp. Douglas was able to follow and made the traffic stop on the exit ramp.

"When I approached the vehicle, I could smell the odor of marijuana," Douglas said.

Bradshaw reportedly gave Douglas consent to search, at which time Douglas found the marijuana in a suitcase and duffle bag in the rear passenger compartment.

Bradshaw was charged with trafficking in marijuana – five pounds or more, improper passing and careless driving and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Douglas was assisted at the scene by CVE Sgt. Greg Reams, K-9 Officer Landry Collett and Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Jackson.

Federal agents have been contacted about possibly taking the case to federal court.

Douglas said that decision has not yet been made and the case remains in state court in Whitley County at the moment.