FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

TWO SEPARATE HIGHWAY PATROL TRAFFIC STOPS RESULT IN
SEIZURE OF DRUGS AND MONEY WORTH MORE THAN $4.4 MILLION

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces that two separate Highway Patrol traffic stops on Wednesday resulted in four arrests for drug trafficking and other charges. The arrests led to the seizure of drugs, cash and a car totaling more than $4.4 million in value.

The Highway Patrol ACE Team stopped Lowell Geoffrey Martin, 1115 North Three Notch Street, Troy, AL, for speeding yesterday morning on I-85 northbound at the two mile marker in Oconee County. A K-9 search of the car turned up five kilograms of cocaine in the trunk of the car. Martin and passenger Julian Saquan Dejesus, 9004 Watchlight Court, Columbia, Md., were charged with trafficking cocaine.

The case was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration in Greenville and led to the subsequent arrests of two Georgia residents and the seizure of 38 kilograms of cocaine and 20 pounds of marijuana worth around $3.8 million, $10,000 in cash and a 2000 Nissan Altima. Tarsha Foster, 5301 Turnberry Place, Lithonia, Ga., was arrested for trafficking cocaine and marijuana. Another man, also of Lithonia, who has not been identified, was charged with trafficking cocaine and marijuana and possession of a firearm. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of a third suspect.

A second traffic stop by the Highway Patrol ACE Team later in the day in Greenville County led to the arrest of one man and the seizure of almost two pounds of cocaine and 20 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $100,000. Edward Lewis Whitlow, 1460 Devon Mill Way, Austell, Ga., was stopped on I-85 northbound at the 43 mile marker for a lane violation. This case has been turned over to the DEA.

"South Carolina highways will not be used to transport drugs," Gov. Jim Hodges said. "The Highway Patrol’s efforts last year led to some of the largest drug busts in state history. We will continue our tough stance on drug enforcement to protect our state’s citizens."

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SI/61/01

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