Image Credit: Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, TN
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Two Putnam County residents were fatally shot in a confrontation with Texas police after a traffic stop revealed they were transporting over $3 million worth of cocaine purchased from a Mexican drug cartel.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, they initiated an investigation into Elizabeth and Edward Stevenson based on undercover purchases of illegal drugs by their drug unit. A search warrant was executed on May 9.
During the search, detectives uncovered 3/4 of a pound of suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl, several firearms, body armor, and ammunition inside the couple’s residence .
While conducting the search, detectives were also told that the Stevensons were headed back from Texas in a semi-truck loaded with drugs and that they were armed.
The sheriff’s office stated that the couple indicated they would provoke a deadly confrontation with law enforcement, known as “suicide by cop,” if police tried to stop them.
Detectives promptly alerted the Donley County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety about the situation and initiated a collaborative effort with these agencies.
When the Donley County Sheriff’s attempted a traffic stop, the driver attempted to flee in the semi-truck for several miles before eventually stopping. Upon stopping, both Elizabeth and Edward exited the vehicle and engaged in gunfire with deputies and troopers, resulting in their deaths.
Authorities did not disclose whether any law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle conducted by Donley County and the Texas Department of Public Safety, along with Texas Rangers, approximately 29 kilos — or 64 pounds — of suspected cocaine was discovered and seized.
According to the sheriff’s office, the estimated street value of the seized cocaine is around $3.4 million, with all indications suggesting it was destined for the Putnam County and Upper Cumberland area.
“This was great work by the PCSO Drug Unit to take down a massive illegal drug operation here in Putnam County. This is a direct result of the Nation’s Open Border Policies which makes it much easier for Mexican cartel members and their associates to bring in these illegal drugs into smaller communities and in this case Putnam County. The cocaine would have likely been mixed with the deadly drug Fentanyl before being sold to individuals. The immediate working relationship with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office formed with the Donley County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety was invaluable in this incident and I am very thankful for it. I would also like to thank the citizens of Putnam County for their help and calling in with these anonymous tips. Anytime you see anything that you feel is suspicious, please call us and we will investigate it. In this particular incident it most likely saved lives,” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said.
One Response
A big thank you to our police for getting these drugs off the streets and stopping these violent criminals!