Two Individuals Found with 40 Pounds of Marijuana

Putnam County authorities arrested two out-of-state individuals Wednesday for allegedly possessing 40 pounds of marijuana.

Pauline Atkins, 45, of Little Rock, AR and Daniel Howell, 58, of Floral City, Fl face multiple charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and controlled substance offenses.

On Wednesday, troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on 1-40 for improper display of registration and failure to maintain lane. Officials identified the passengers as Atkins and Howell.

Arrest warrants indicate Atkins and Howell had conflicting itineraries during the routine questioning. Authorities noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

A probable cause search revealed ten dog food bags with four pounds each of a leafy green substance believed to be marijuana. The bags totaled 40 pounds.

According to the arrest warrants, individual baggies contained the marijuana. Authorities also found a metal grinder in the vehicle.

Officials booked Howell and Atkins into the Putnam County Jail on a $51,000 bond each.