A Knoxville man has been arrested and faces felony drug charges for an incident in March. On March 17th, a Knoxville officer performed a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 14 and Ash Street for a vehicle traveling at an excessive speed. The driver, identified as 71-year-old George Bloom, was discovered to have a suspended license.

The officer deployed the K9 unit, which alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle turned up several baggies of a crystalline substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Also located was a Clonazepam pill, a Schedule IV substance, numerous drug paraphernalia, and a small amount of marijuana.

A passenger was with Bloom at the time, and faces lesser charges.

A warrant for Bloom’s arrest was served Friday, June 18th, and a $5,000 bond was posted. Bloom faces charges of possession of controlled substance third or subsequent offense, a Class D felony. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 24th.