06-06-2025
Man caught with 15 pounds of THC edibles, marijuana wax in Sumner County
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Louisville man who came to Middle Tennessee for a golf trip ended up behind bars in Sumner County after authorities discovered more than $100,000 worth of drugs and cash during a traffic stop.
A member of the 18th Judicial District Drug Task Force pulled over an SUV along Interstate 65 North in Millersville. The driver — identified as 27-year-old James Scott McKenzie — claimed he was in Middle Tennessee to play golf with his brother.
However, law enforcement became suspicious after smelling the pungent odor of marijuana in the rental vehicle.
Agent: 'Is there anything illegal inside the vehicle today?'
McKenzie: 'No, sir.'
Agent: 'Do you smoke a little marijuana occasionally?'
McKenzie: 'No, sir.'
Agent: 'Any cocaine?'
McKenzie: 'No, sir.'
Agent: 'Any heroin?'
McKenzie: 'No, sir.'
Agent: 'Any other forms of THC style products like vapes…or gummies?'
McKenzie: 'Uh, um, well-'
Agent: 'Listen, look, listen…Nothing in the vehicle you want to tell me about?'
McKenzie: 'There is a vape pen that's his.'
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When the 27-year-old refused to give consent to search, authorities ran K9 Emma around the car. The dog alerted on the right side of the vehicle, giving the law enforcement probable cause to search it.
According to a member of the drug task force, McKenzie ultimately told him he had what he thought was a THC vape.
Agent: 'What's in the car?'
McKenzie: 'I just got my wax in there.'
Agent: 'How much?'
McKenzie: 'It's probably like a half pound of wax.'
Agent: 'A half pound?'
McKenzie: 'Yes, sir.'
That's where authorities found a padlocked bag. Officials told News 2 the bag was specially designed to conceal odors, but it couldn't fool Emma the drug dog.
Inside the bag, law enforcement said they discovered 15 pounds of THC edibles and marijuana wax, which is worth an estimated $120,000 on the street. In addition, when McKenzie was arrested, he reportedly had close to $5,700 on his person.
'Either it's the first time he's gotten caught or he's just extremely unlucky and just got caught on the first trip,' the drug agent told News 2.
According to the Sumner County Sheriff's Office, McKenzie was booked into the Sumner County Jail on Tuesday, June 3. He's being held on a $185,000 bond for manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of Schedule VI drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as following too closely.
Authorities said McKenzie had no prior criminal history.
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