FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Charlotte man faces drug trafficking charges after he crashed his vehicle into the median safety cables on Interstate 40.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Marshall Earlie Hackett III, 51, in a news release on Tuesday.

On Sunday, August 15, Deputy Patrick Dragowski, who is assigned to the ICSO ACE Team was traveling on Interstate 40 Westbound when he saw a white SUV in the median, Campbell said.

Deputy Dragowski stopped to check on the vehicle and met Hackett to make ensure he was not injured, according to the news release. When asked where Hackett had been, where he was going and if he had been drinking, he noted several inconsistencies in the answers to the questions.

N.C. Highway Patrol troopers arrived on scene and investigated the accident.

A short time later Deputy Brandon Best and Canine Deputy Heath Pennell with the ACE Team arrived on scene. Pennell deployed K-9 Brandi outside Hackett’s vehicle, and Brandi gave a positive alert, according to the news release.

The deputies searched the vehicle and located 46.6 pounds of marijuana in individual vacuum sealed packages, which were hidden in two suitcases and a duffle bag, along with multiple items of drug paraphernalia commonly used in the sale of marijuana and $4,820.

Hackett was arrested on scene and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with felony trafficking marijuana by possession, felony trafficking marijuana by transport, felony possession of marijuana, felony maintain a dwelling or vehicle for the sale or use of a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor drug offense.

Hackett appeared before Magistrate Hollar, who issued a $200,000 secured bond on these charges.