PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. — What began as a routine traffic stop turned into a major drug arrest early Thursday morning in Putnam County, authorities announced.
At approximately 2:07 a.m. on April 25, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle for a window tint violation and failure to maintain lane. The driver, identified as Derick Kiner, consented to a search of the vehicle. Deputies discovered a large amount of U.S. currency, bundled in a manner consistent with drug trafficking.
Further investigation—part of a year-long operation—led detectives to obtain a search warrant for Kiner’s residence. Inside, authorities found approximately five ounces of cocaine, digital scales, a firearm, ammunition, and $118,000 in bundled cash. Investigators also noted that Kiner has a previous felony drug conviction and suspected ties to gang activity.
Kiner was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail, charged with:
Manufacture, Sell, Delivery of Cocaine
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
His bond was set at $500,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on June 9, 2025.
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris underscored the department’s focus on gang-related crime, stating, “The safety and wellbeing of Putnam County citizens remains my top priority, and we will continue to work to keep our community safe and free from these bad actors.”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) assisted in the case.
