A routine traffic stop early Sunday morning escalated into a major drug bust and arrest after a suspect attempted to discard suspected narcotics on an Interstate 40 exit ramp.

According to a Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Deputy Tyler Leary initially spotted a white GMC pickup truck driven by 51-year-old Michael Paul Howard at a Shell gas station in Crab Orchard with a broken brake light. Deputy Leary observed the truck traveling westbound on I-40, failing to pass other vehicles while occupying the left lane for roughly three miles, violating the state’s “Slow Poke” law.

After Deputy Leary activated his emergency lights, the vehicle failed to yield for approximately 300 yards. During the slow-down, the deputy observed a white, ball-shaped object—roughly the size of a baseball—thrown from the driver’s side window before the truck finally stopped near the Mile Marker 322 off-ramp.

Erratic Behavior and Evidence Recovery

Upon exiting the vehicle, Howard exhibited erratic movements, excessive sweating, and jittery behavior consistent with drug consumption. While another deputy assisted on scene, Deputy Leary searched the grassy area along the off-ramp and located a plastic bag containing approximately 23.64 grams of a white powdery substance, suspected to be Fentanyl.

Shortly after being placed under arrest, Howard collapsed into the grass complaining of back pain and exhibited signs consistent with a drug overdose before becoming belligerent toward responding officers. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was dispatched, and Howard was transported to Cumberland Medical Center (CMC) under deputy escort.

Seized Property and Charges

A probable cause search of the truck yielded no additional illegal items, and a passenger in the vehicle was detained and questioned. However, deputies seized $1,812 in cash from Howard’s pocket, along with several cards and a vehicle title.

Following a medical evaluation, Howard was processed and charged with:

• Manufacturing/Delivering/Selling a Controlled Substance (Bond: $350,000)

• Tampering with Evidence (Bond: $20,000)

His total bond has been set at $370,000, with a court date scheduled for August 31, 2026. The seized narcotics have been sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) lab for formal testing and identification.