WSLS News Staff
Published: February 11, 2008

On February 2nd, a Grayson County deputy arrested a Grayson County resident for possession of marijuana during a routine traffic stop.

The Grayson Co. man said that he had purchased the marijuana from Ellis Sutherland Jr., age 48, in Speedwell Va. Using a search warrant for Sutherland’s home, officers seized five pounds of marijuana and $9,700. Further Investigation revealed a connection between Sutherland and a Jamaican marijuana trafficker from the Bristol TN area.

Then on February 8th, Wythe County Sheriff’s Office investigators set up a sting delivery of four pounds of marijuana. During the controlled delivery police seized four pounds of marijuana and $12,857.

Arrested during the delivery were Winston March, age 44, from Bristol Tn. and Tyrone Lee Davis, age 50, from Chilhowie VA. Investigators believe that more marijuana had been dropped off in Smyth County VA and eastern TN.

The Virginia State Police and members of the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant in Smyth Co that found another pound of marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine. During the search they uncovered evidence of another two pounds of marijuana that was later seized from a vehicle.

Winston March has been charged with 2 felony counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, racketeering, and knowingly conduct a financial transaction with the proceeds of a felony crime. After providing a false alias March was later identified by fingerprints as being wanted by the Drug Enforcement Administration for the 1999 charge of delivering 10 kilos of cocaine in PA and was actively being sought as a Federal Fugitive by the U. S. Marshalls Office. March is being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail on no bond.

Tyrone Davis has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and racketeering and was being held on an $8,000 secured bond at New River Valley Regional Jail.

Sutherland has been charged with felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

At this time there are still matters under investigation involving marijuana trafficking along I-81 from Easter Tn. and as far north as Roanoke VA. Additional arrests are anticipated in the future.