JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WDNews) — A routine traffic stop led to a major drug trafficking arrest early Friday morning after a driver allegedly fled deputies and tossed kilograms of cocaine onto the roadway during a pursuit.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy pulled over a vehicle around 7:43 a.m. after noticing it swerving. The driver, identified as Miquel Hatcher, refused to exit the car and sped away.
Deputies say Hatcher threw roughly two kilograms of cocaine from his vehicle during the chase before troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol used a PIT maneuver to disable his car.
Once stopped, Hatcher was arrested without incident. A search of his vehicle and the nearby area uncovered three kilograms of cocaine, 2.2 pounds of marijuana, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Hatcher faces multiple charges including Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, and Destruction of Evidence.
Sheriff Donald Edenfield commended the teamwork that led to the arrest.
“Our deputies work tirelessly to keep dangerous drugs out of Jackson County,” Edenfield said. “Every arrest like this one sends a clear message — we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our communities.”
The sheriff’s office thanked the Florida Highway Patrol for its assistance. The case remains under investigation.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office(850) 482-9624 with information.
