Early this morning, deputies and detectives with the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office spotted a vehicle occupied by subjects transporting illegal narcotics from out of state. When the vehicle refused to stop along U.S. Highway 27 at Florida Avenue, a pursuit ensued. The vehicle headed north on U.S. 27 through Dayton and continued toward Evensville.

Suspects 34-year-old Christopher E. Tilley of Chickamauga, Georgia, and 29-year-old Deneica Gauldin of Chattanooga were throwing several containers of meth from the vehicle.

Once the vehicle stopped, deputies located a large amount of meth still inside the vehicle, along with more than $2,000 in U.S. currency.

Deputies went back along the route and retrieved the illegal drugs that had been thrown from the vehicle. In all, they recovered approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.

The suspects are facing numerous charges, including possession of a Schedule II drug (meth) for resale, felony evading arrest, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest, possession of prohibited weapons and possession of a Schedule VI drug (marijuana). The approximate street value of the narcotics is between $20,000 and $25,000.