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Florida Highway Patrol seized the massive drug haul during a traffic stop on I-75.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:57am
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A 55-year-old Largo, Florida man named William Wesley Hicks was arrested on Wednesday after Florida Highway Patrol troopers discovered over 2,000 pounds of marijuana hidden inside a camper trailer he was towing on Interstate 75 in Sumter County. Hicks was pulled over for traffic violations before the massive drug stash was uncovered.
This represents one of the largest marijuana seizures in recent Florida history, highlighting the continued flow of illegal drugs through the state’s major highways. The arrest raises questions about the scale of drug trafficking operations and the challenges law enforcement faces in intercepting these large-scale shipments.
During the traffic stop, troopers searched the camper trailer Hicks was towing and discovered over 2,000 pounds of marijuana packaged inside. Hicks was arrested and charged with trafficking in cannabis over 2,000 pounds, a first-degree felony.
A 55-year-old man from Largo, Florida who was arrested for trafficking over 2,000 pounds of marijuana.
The state law enforcement agency that conducted the traffic stop and made the arrest.
Hicks is being held in the Sumter County Jail on $1 million bond. Prosecutors are expected to pursue the maximum sentence for the large-scale drug trafficking charges.
This record-breaking marijuana seizure on a major Florida interstate underscores the ongoing challenge of stemming the flow of illegal drugs through the state’s transportation networks. It also highlights the need for continued vigilance and coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement to combat large-scale drug trafficking operations.
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