Tour Bus Drug Bust, High-speed Chase Round out Busy Weekend for Fr. Co. Sheriff’s Deputies

It was a busy weekend for Franklin County law enforcement.

In two separate incidents, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies secured a large amount of drugs from a tour bus and weapons after a high-speed chase – both as the result of two separate traffic stops.

The first incident happened Friday on I-85, according to Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas, when deputies pulled over a tour bus on its way from Atlanta to New York.

Steve Thomas1 trt; 38 oc: this matter

“On Friday, Franklin County deputies conducted a traffic stop on a motor coach tour bus on I-85 for a routine traffic violation,” Thomas said. “During the stop a drug canine was deployed and a positive alert was given by the canine. During the search three suitcases were located containing 63 pounds of THC edible candy and 15 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were seized and the driver of the bus was given a traffic violation warning. Special thanks for the assistance to Hart County Sheriff’s deputies in this incident.”

Thomas said they could not make an arrest because deputies could not determine which passenger or passengers were transporting the drugs.

Unlike airlines, not all interstate bus services use luggage tags and passengers do not get claim tickets for their luggage.

So, the officers had no way of determining which passenger was attempting to transport the drugs, Thomas said.

The drugs were seized and the driver of the bus was issued a warning for a traffic violation.

Then on Saturday, deputies attempted to pull over a Nissan Altima on the Interstate for a routine traffic violation when a chase ensued into Lavonia.

“The vehicle abruptly exited the Interstate. It entered the parking lot of Guns and Gear in Lavonia and circled the parking lot. It exited and made a right onto Highway 17. The vehicle began traveling into the City of Lavonia reaching speeds over 80mph,” Thomas said.

Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies used a pit maneuver to stop the Altima on 17 near Brookwood Drive.  Thomas said a search of the vehicle uncovered several weapons.

“All occupants were detained and the vehicle was searched based on the odor of marijuana,” Thomas said. “During the search, three firearms were located. The driver, Terence Heard was on parole for armed robbery out of South Carolina.”

Heard was arrested and charged with multiple traffic violations, felony fleeing, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Thomas thanked the excellent work of the Lavonia Police and the Georgia State Patrol for their help in capturing Heard.