9 pounds of cocaine seized during Nash County traffic stop

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office Highway Interdiction Team on Friday stopped a Toyota Camry on Interstate 95 for a traffic violation and found more than nine pounds of cocaine, authorities said.

Once authorities stopped the car, they said there was "reasonable suspicion of criminal activity" and deployed a K-9 unit, according to a news release.

Officials said they found 9 pounds and 9 ounces of cocaine in a duffel bag in the trunk of the car.

The driver, Jerime Alvarez, of Florida, and passenger, Edwin Lopez, of New York, were arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine by possession and trafficking cocaine by transportation, felony possession of cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling and delivering a controlled substance, authorities said.