A trooper stopped Nelly's bus on Interstate 40 near mile marker 275 around 9:20 a.m. for failure to display a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) sticker on the vehicle.

Once stopped, the trooper noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the bus and conducted a probable cause search of the bus. Troopers discovered in the sleeper area a plastic bag containing five colored crystal-type rocks that tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as a small amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. Further investigation revealed approximately 100 small Ziploc bags that are commonly associated with the sale of narcotics. Troopers also located numerous handguns, including a gold-plated 50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol, a 45-caliber Tarus pistol, and a 500 magnum Smith and Wesson.