FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL — During recent investigations into drug trafficking, the Mt Vernon Police Department / Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department Joint Narcotics Unit developed information indicating a shipment of cocaine would be traveling through Jefferson County on Monday, October 25th.

Narcotics Division Detectives continued the investigation and observed the suspect vehicle traveling Southbound on Interstate 57. A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit began to respond to assist the narcotics detectives. After observing an Illinois Vehicle Code violation, the deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle around 3:30 p.m. with the vehicle stopping on Interstate 57 at the 79 mile marker, just inside Franklin County. The Jefferson County K9 Team conducted a free air sniff of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert on the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle narcotics detectives located approximately three pounds of cocaine. Two occupants of the vehicle were detained pending further investigation.

After further investigation, 26-year-old Demetrius T. Flowers from Park Forest Illinois, was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest Flowers was on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Illinois Department of Corrections issued a Parole Violation warrant for Flowers with no bond. Narcotics Detectives began working with the Franklin County States Attorney’s Office and obtained a warrant for Flowers charging him with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Bond on the warrant has been set at $75,000 (10% applies). Flowers remains in the Jefferson County Jail.