Man arrested with almost $400,000 of cocaine on I-75

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Akil Jabari Walden, 35, of Havana, FL, was arrested yesterday afternoon after he was pulled over on I-75 in Alachua County for illegal window tint and an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy found cocaine with an estimated street value of $399,100.

The deputy was assigned to the Alachua County Traffic Interdiction and Organized Narcotics Unit and was patrolling I-75 at the 375 mile marker when he saw a pickup truck with apparent window tint violations. The deputy performed a traffic stop and found that Walden was the driver and only occupant of the truck.

The deputy reported noticing a smell of marijuana when he made contact with Walden and conducted a probable cause search of the truck, which reportedly produced almost 9 pounds of cocaine, heat sealed in bags, with an approximate street value of $399,100. The deputy also reported finding 9 grams of marijuana and a dime-sized bag of cocaine.

Walden is a convicted felon. He has been charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug equipment. He is being held on $100,200 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.