SEWANEE, Tenn. — A delivery truck driver who had drugs and a loaded gun on the same vehicle he was using to deliver produce to several Tennessee schools was busted by a school resource officer (SRO).
SRO Josh Alexander was welcoming students at Sewanee Elementary School Thursday morning when he detected a marijuana odor coming from the delivery truck, according to a Facebook post from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Alexander confronted the delivery driver who allegedly confirmed there were illegal narcotics in the vehicle.
Alexander conducted a search of the truck and found 7.6 ounces of suspected fentanyl, nine ounces of suspected marijuana, a loaded 9mm handgun, and $4,463 in cash.
The driver, Christopher James Duncan, is facing several charges, including possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell; possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell; unlawful possession of a weapon; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has also been charged with a drug-free zone violation, which can increase criminal penalties upon conviction on associated charges.
Duncan is being held on a $250,000 bond and is expected to appear in Franklin County General Sessions Court on Jan. 23.
Duncan made two other deliveries that morning to Cowan Elementary School and Huntland Schools. Sheriff Tim Fuller said investigators did not find any of the suspected drugs in the produce containers but the produce delivered to all three schools was isolated and seized, reports Times Free Press.
Authorities said the delivery truck belongs to Forestwood Farm Inc., which is located in Birmingham, Alabama. Duncan was terminated following his arrest.
Sergeant Samuel Davidson said it was a significant bust, adding, “7.6 ounces when you do the math, that comes out to just shy of 72,000 people that could’ve been killed by this fentanyl.” It doesn’t appear anyone on school property was an intended recipient of the products, the sheriff’s office said.
