Traffic Stop Leads to Large Narcotics Seizure, Athens Man Arrested

ATHENS, Texas — A traffic stop conducted by Henderson County narcotics investigators on Tuesday led to the discovery of a large quantity of illegal narcotics and the arrest of an Athens man.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Narcotics Investigators Jonathan Barrios and Jude Bonner conducted a traffic stop around 2:16 p.m. on March 3, 2026, at the intersection of Loop 7 and Farm to Market Road 2495 in Athens for a traffic violation.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Moses Alexander Payan.

During the course of the traffic stop investigation, investigators conducted a search of the vehicle. Inside the trunk, authorities located a large brown box containing numerous THC products, including several boxes of THC syrup bottles labeled as “max potency,” candy bars infused with psilocybin and THC, and THC cannabis wax, according to officials.

Following the discovery, investigators obtained a narcotics search warrant for Payan’s residence located in the 2400 block of Farm to Market Road 2495 in the Athens area. The warrant was issued by 392nd Judicial District Judge Scott McKee.

During the execution of the search warrant, investigators reported locating large bags of marijuana packaged for distribution, along with THC vape cartridges and additional THC cannabis wax. Authorities also recovered U.S. currency, digital scales, and custom packaging materials, items commonly associated with narcotics distribution operations.

Investigators additionally located two firearms during the search of the residence.

Payan was arrested and transported to the Henderson County Jail, where he was booked on multiple charges of Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana.

Officials say he is currently awaiting arraignment.

As with all criminal cases, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.