Gainesville Police arrested a man early Tuesday morning for reportedly possessing more than three pounds of crystal meth.
Brandon Jay Hughes, 35, of Tampa, was stopped by police after reportedly speeding and swerving while driving south on Interstate 75 by High Springs in a silver Hyundai, according to the arrest report.
Hughes was asked to step out of the vehicle so the officer could write a warning for speeding. The officer noticed Hughes appeared nervous and asked to search the car. Although Hughes refused, a K-9 alerted police to the smell of drugs in the vehicle.
Hughes reportedly ran into the woods when police tried to arrest him. After a brief chase, it took three officers and a Taser to detain him, according to the report. Hughes kicked and grabbed at officers, causing minor injuries, police said.
Police searched the car and found 3.6 pounds of crystal meth, worth more than $129,000, and a large amount of money in the glovebox, according to the report. Police also found about 2 gallons of a suspected date rape drug and a large amount of suspected MDMA, or ecstasy.
Hughes was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and three counts of resisting police with violence, according to the arrest report.
Hughes’ charges on the additional drugs are pending, according to the report. He is being held in Alachua County Jail in lieu of a $130,000 bond.
Contact Amanda Rosa at arosa@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @AmandaNicRosa
