MEMPHIS: An Olive Branch man was charged with smuggling almost 400 pounds of marijuana.
Willard Hampton was arrested Sunday while driving a semi-truck on I-55 near Crump Avenue.
The arrest surprised Hampton’s neighbors. “That’s shocking,” Will Smith said. “I’m really lost for words.” Hampton lived in an upscale Olive Branch neighborhood.
“I wouldn’t think someone living over here would be doing that,” Smith said.
Police said they stopped Willard Hampton for swerving while he was driving a semi on I-55 near the McLemore exit.
After finding his trailer was not registered and weighed much less than other rigs that size, they had a K-9 search the truck. The dog alerted there were drugs inside, so an officer got into the back of the truck and cut open one of the seven boxes that were there.
Hampton was charged with possession with intent to sell, unlawful possession of a weapon and violation of vehicle registration.
His bond was set at $500,000.
