Picayune Police officers were dispatched to two local retail stores in two separate instances in response to complaints about possible illegal drug transactions and a possible intoxicated driver, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

On April 22, officers received information of suspected drug transactions occurring at a local retail store, Magri said.

Video surveillance was obtained of the incident and the subject was identified as Aaron Ducote, 21, of 29 Harry Sones Rd., in Carriere. On April 23, at approximately 2:45 p.m., officers made contact with Ducote, at the business in reference to the possible drug transaction, Magri said.

Officers noticed that Ducote appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and persistently attempted to reach into his pocket and walk away from the officers, Magri said.

Officers noticed his balance was unsteady and he appeared to have foam coming from his mouth, Magri said.

Upon conducting a pat down, officers located a prescription pill bottle in his pocket, which contained a large quantity of individually wrapped foil packets that contained a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin. Officers also found $267 in his pocket, Magri said.

Ducote was arrested for possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute. The currency found in his was seized. He was transported to the Criminal Justice Center where he was booked and incarcerated on said charges.

On April 4, at approximately 12:33 a.m., officers responded to a complaint of a driver suspected to be under the influence of an intoxicating substance who was parked in front of a convenience store. Officers arrived on the scene and observed a gold Chevy truck, fitting the description of the vehicle described in the report, Magri said.

Officers saw the driver, identified as Cody Sanchez, 25, of 32 Luke Lane, in Picayune, exit the vehicle and enter the convenience store, Magri said.

Upon making contact with Sanchez, officers could smell an odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from his person. They also noticed his eyes to be bloodshot and glassy and have slurred speech, Magri said.

Sanchez was taken into custody for public drunk and transported to the Criminal Justice Center where a more thorough search was conducted and officers found a baggy containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, Magri said.

At this time Sanchez was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and booked, Magri said.