K-9 'Drago' assists in seizure of cocaine, cash

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man on a charge of trafficking amount of cocaine, and the process, seized almost $11,000 in cash.

Deputies on Wednesday were patroling in the area of NE 175th Street Road and North Highway 301 when they said they spotted a driver, later identified as Eugene Clark Johnson Jr., 47,  traveling close to 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

Once deputies caught up to the vehicle, they conducted a traffic stop. Deputy Jeremie Nix and his K-9 partner, “Drago” responded to the traffic stop and conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle, where Drago gave a positive alert for drugs at the driver’s side door.

During a search, deputies said they found approximately 80 grams of cocaine in Johnson’s car along with the cash.  The amount of cocaine seized during this traffic stop has an approximate street value of $8,000. 

Johnson has been charged with one count of trafficking cocaine -- more than 28 grams, but less than 150 kilograms and possession of a harmful new legend drug (Viagra) without a prescription. He is being held in the Marion County Jail on $51,000 bond.