KINGSPORT — Two Kingsport police officers accompanied by a K-9 sniffed out a felony drug arrest Wednesday morning, but no dog was needed.
The suspect literally came to them, according to records, and asked for directions — wafting the distinct odor of marijuana from a car when he rolled down his window.
The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m., as a clearly marked and labeled KPD cruiser sat at the intersection of Wesley Road and Fort Henry Drive. A Scion XD stopped beside the police unit and the car's passenger, Tyler E. Housewright, 22, of 431 Kinkead Ave., Church Hill, asked for directions.
Two police officers — without assistance from the K-9 in their presence — allegedly detected "a strong odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the car." When they approached Housewright's window, officers spotted a "large object covered in tin foil" beneath his left leg.
Housewright handed the bundle over to police, with officers discovering it contained marijuana. He was arrested and charged with possession of more than a half ounce of marijuana, a felony. He also allegedly had rolling papers, prompting a drug paraphernalia charge.
Housewright claimed sole ownership of the drugs, according to police, and the driver of the vehicle was not charged.