Jacksonville man arrested, accused of speeding with 60+ pounds of weed in rental car

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol pulled over a man for speeding near the Jacksonville International Airport on Friday and found weed in the SUV.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Rashaad Carr-Blakney, 27, of Jacksonville, is now facing three felony charges: marijuana possession, smuggling marijuana into the state, and possession of marijuana with intent to sell or distribute.

He was pulled over by a trooper near Duval Road on Friday afternoon after FHP said he was going 55 mph in a 35 mph speed zone.

During the traffic stop, FHP saw that the Ford Expedition he was driving had a Massachusetts license plate and was registered to Hertz rental company. As Carr-Blakney looked on his cellphone to provide the trooper with his rental agreement, the trooper smelled “the strong and obvious odor” of marijuana coming from the inside of the SUV.

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The Florida Highway Patrol pulled over a man for speeding near the Jacksonville International Airport on Friday and found weed in the SUV. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Rashaad Carr-Blakney, 27, of Jacksonville, is now facing three felony charges: marijuana possession, smuggling marijuana into the state, and possession of marijuana with intent to sell or distribute. (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

The arrest report stated Carr-Blakney told the trooper he had flown in a day prior but had to return to the airport Friday to pick up luggage that came in on a different flight.

He told FHP that there was no marijuana in the SUV when asked and claimed he doesn’t smoke it, according to Jacksonville police.

The trooper searched the vehicle and found more than 60 pounds of marijuana.

Carr-Blakney was then placed under arrest and the marijuana and the loaded gun he had on his hip was turned over to FHP.

Hertz’s vehicle was returned, along with four empty suitcases and clothing items.

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