Traffic stop leads to discovery of marijuana

SPRUCE PINE – A Spruce Pine man was arrested on drug charges following a routine traffic stop on Tuesday.

Scott Hardin, 36, 340 Rocky Branch Rd., Spruce Pine, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, first-degree possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, officials said.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, Hardin was pulled over on Alabama 13 just south of Phil Campbell for reckless driving and was found to be driving under the influence.

Oliver said the investigation of Hardin led officers to a residence in the Spruce Pine area where authorities discovered eight marijuana plants, some of which were six feet tall, and other drug paraphernalia.

Investigators estimated the weight of marijuana found to be over five pounds with an estimated value between $5,000 and $10,000 because of the higher grade of marijuana it was.

Hardin was released from the Franklin County Jail on a property bond.