SEYMOUR – On Saturday, September 7, a routine traffic stop in Seymour led to a significant drug bust, resulting in the arrest of a Chicago woman for marijuana trafficking.
At approximately 2:27 p.m., Interdiction officers from the Seymour Police Department pulled over a black Chevrolet passenger vehicle in the 1900 block of East Tipton Street for a traffic violation. During the stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the car, which provided probable cause for a search.
The search yielded a variety of marijuana products, including:
- Traditional marijuana
- Marijuana wax
- Marijuana vape pens
- Marijuana-infused gummies
The total net weight of the seized items was 1.5 pounds, and their estimated street value exceeded $5,000.
The driver, Melissa K. Herron, 53, of Chicago, Illinois, was reportedly transporting these items from Chicago to Huntsville, Alabama. Herron was arrested on charges of dealing in marijuana and possession of marijuana.
Following her arrest, Herron was transported to the Jackson County Jail for processing. She was released at 3:59 p.m. after being booked into the jail at 3:36 p.m.
Lieutenant C.J. Foster of the Seymour Police Department provided this information, highlighting the department’s ongoing efforts to intercept drug trafficking in the area.
This incident underscores the continuing challenges law enforcement faces in combating interstate drug transportation, even as many states have relaxed marijuana laws. It also demonstrates the evolving nature of marijuana products, with the seizure including not just traditional forms but also concentrates and edibles.
Local authorities remind the public that despite changing attitudes towards marijuana in some parts of the country, its transportation across state lines remains a serious federal offense.
According to state law in Illinois, adults over the age of 21 can legally possess, consume, and purchase cannabis since Jan. 1, 2020, and marijuana purchased in Illinois cannot be transported to another state.
Under Alabama state law, cannabis is illegal for recreational use, and medical use was legalized in 2021 through a bill passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey.
