Traffic Stop in South Carolina Leads to Arrests, Discovery of Hidden Cocaine
Date
5/16/2023 7:00:24 AM
(MENAFN) Two individuals have been arrested in South Carolina after a routine traffic stop conducted by Anderson County deputies took an unexpected turn. During the stop along Interstate 85, deputies pulled over Anthony Miller and Cemeka Mitchem, initially noticing what appeared to be a pregnant woman. However, suspicions arose when the pair provided conflicting information about Mitchem's due date, raising a "red flag" for law enforcement.
As the deputies grew increasingly suspicious, Mitchem suddenly fled the scene, realizing their doubts. In a surprising turn of events, police witnessed drugs falling from what they had assumed to be Mitchem's pregnant belly, only to discover it was a fake rubber stomach. The subsequent cleanup of the area yielded over 1,500 grams of cocaine, exposing the true nature of the situation.
Although the incident occurred on April 12, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office shared details of the arrest on Sunday. CBS News has sought comment from the sheriff's department regarding the case. The office also shared an image showing an officer posing with the counterfeit pregnancy stomach, an I-85 sign, and the confiscated cocaine.
Miller and Mitchem now face charges related to cocaine trafficking. According to county inmate records, both individuals have been denied bond and remain in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
This incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of drug overdose deaths in South Carolina, which the state has recently warned about. The state has witnessed a significant increase in such deaths, primarily attributed to opioids. Overdose numbers rose from 1,734 in 2020 to 2,168 in 2021, a stark contrast to the 573 overdose deaths recorded in 2012. Authorities have also expressed concern about drugs being laced with fentanyl without users' knowledge, posing a heightened risk of fatal overdoses. As a precaution, the state emphasizes the importance of having naloxone available to counteract potential overdose situations involving unsafe drugs.
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