MURFREESBORO – A local man admitted guilt here recently for possession of marijuana.

According to Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe, 28-year-old Derrick L. Lee of Murfreesboro was arrested after 51 “nickel” bags of marijuana were found in his possession.

Lee was subsequently charged with felony possession, sell and deliver of a controlled substance as well as misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed under a $50,000 secured bond and made his first court appearance in Winton on Jan. 7.

Rowe said the case against Lee developed after Murfreesboro Police Lt. Joe Burgess performed a traffic stop on a vehicle operating near Powell Road late in the afternoon of Jan. 3. Rowe stated the reason for the stop was linked to Burgess noting a violation of a traffic law.

“There were three individuals in the vehicle, the driver along with two passengers, one of which was Mr. Lee,” Rowe said. “Based upon his law enforcement experience, Lt. Burgess had reason to believe that illegal drugs were in the vehicle. As Lt. Burgess was in the process of calling for our K-9 officer, Mr. Lee admitted that he was in possession of marijuana and a search of his person confirmed that as the marijuana was discovered in his coat pocket.”

Burgess was assisted in the case by Murfreesboro Police Auxiliary Officer Jimmy Barmer.

“I commend Lt. Burgess for his proactive work and thank Officer Barmer for providing the back-up,” Rowe said. “The arrest was made without incident and this arrest further states our continuing effort to remove illegal drugs from the streets of Murfreesboro.”