NATCHEZ — In what started as a stolen vehicle ring investigation, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended one suspect and seized approximately 7.2 pounds of field-tested cocaine along with other drug paraphernalia Wednesday night.

Joe Wanynide Rounds, 37, of Bedford, Texas, was spotted driving a stolen 2009 black Cadillac Escalade and apprehended by Metro and ACSO deputies at approximately 5 p.m.

Within an hour, officers had searched a southern Adams County house and found three-fourths ounce of crack cocaine, $10,480 in small bills, eight gallons of illegal moonshine whiskey, marijuana buds and packaging equipment such as scales and rubber bands alongside the cocaine.

“Metro Narcotics agents estimate that (the cocaine) has a street value of around $350,000,” Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said.

Heading the night’s operations was Mayfield, Metro Narcotics Commander David Lindsey and ACSO Investigator Ricky Stevens.

Mayfield said after a month of watching for the Escalade, a Metro officer saw the stolen vehicle and pulled Rounds over.

“I am pleased with the cooperation between the sheriff’s office, Metro Narcotics, the Natchez Police Department and the Concordia Parish’s K-9 Unit officer,” Mayfield said.

“To my knowledge, this is the largest seizure of cocaine in Adams County history,” Mayfield said. “We said we were after the big guys. This is a good indication of what is out there.”

Mayfield said he is also thankful for the help of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance when the stolen vehicle ring investigation began a week and a half ago.

Upon returning to the ACSO, Rounds refused to comment to officers.

Mayfield said Rounds will be charged with possession of stolen property, possession of cocaine — more than a kilogram with intent to distribute and possession of crack cocaine with the intention to distribute.