500 lbs of marijuana seized in Evansville

Evansville — About 500 pounds of marijuana were confiscated Monday evening in Vanderburgh County after a deputy noticed some suspicious activity.

According to authorities, a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputy noticed a vehicle turn on a dead end road in an industrial area on Evansville’s north side just before midnight Monday. A few moments later, another vehicle joined the first.

When the deputy approached the vehicles, they both sped away and the deputy followed the first vehicle. He attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Flightline Drive on US 41 but the driver refused to stop. A short pursuit ensued until the driver finally stopped the vehicle near Petersburg Road.

An Evansville Police Department K-9 responded and during the stop, authorities found nearly 500 pounds of marijuana in bundles.

The driver, Mark Chris Smith II, 26, of Indianapolis, was charged with a Level 5 felony count of dealing marijuana greater than 10 pounds, a Level 6 felony count of resisting law enforcement, and a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.

Due to the large quantity of marijuana, the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Joint Drug Task Force and the local Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office were contacted to assist in the investigation.

The DEA and United States Attorney’s Office are working with local authorities and are considering filing federal charges against Smith.