A traffic stop that began just before 2-a.m. today (Friday), in Fremont County, resulted in a pursuit with speeds of up to 130-mph, the eventual capture in Missouri, of two suspects and the discovery of more than 110-pounds of marijuana. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies stopped a speeding car on Highway 2 near the Missouri River. During an initial investigation, deputies observed indications of drug trafficking and requested a K9 unit to assist.

Photo courtesy the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office.

Prior to the arrival of the K9, the driver of the vehicle, 22-year old Cardell Crawford, of Kansas City, Missouri, fled from the traffic stop in his vehicle. Deputies engaged in a pursuit until the vehicle entered Missouri, where Missouri law enforcement agencies continued the chase. Spike strips were deployed, and the vehicle finally stopped on Interstate 29 near St, Joseph, Missouri, or about 85 miles from where the pursuit began.

A Fremont County K9 was deployed and the occupants were arrested without incident. A search warrant was issued for the vehicle and over 110lbs of marijuana were discovered inside. Crawford was arrested for Felony Eluding, Possession with Intent to Distribute Over 50 Kilograms of Marijuana, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. A passenger in the car, 23-year old Brianca Williams, also of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute Over 50 Kilograms of Marijuana, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Both were being held in the Andrew County, Missouri, jail, awaiting extradition to Iowa. The Holt County Sheriff’s Office, Andrew County Sheriff’s Office, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, and Missouri State Patrol, as well as the Mills County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office, assisted the Fremont County K9 Unit and Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the incident.