The Picayune Police Department recently responded to two cases involving the possession of methamphetamine and heroin.

Picayune officers arrested 27-year-old David Hight of 556 Butler Rd. in DeRidder, La. on July 2 for drug related charges.

At 4:38 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on Hight’s vehicle at Frontage Road near Highway 43 for reckless driving, no seatbelt and running a stop sign, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

When the officer approached Hight, he appeared to have constricted pupils. Hight was unable to provide a driver’s license or proof of insurance at that time, Magri said.

The officer asked Hight to exit the vehicle and conducted a pat down, discovering a plastic bag containing a crystallized substance believed to be methamphetamine inside Hight’s pants pocket, Magri said.

When the officer conducted a search of his vehicle, he found a black safe on the rear floorboard, which contained a handgun, three plastic bags containing a crystallized substance believed to be methamphetamine, two digital scales, a glass pipe containing a white residue, a small metal grinder containing a green leafy substance, a razor blade and 34 empty plastic bags, Magri said.

Hight was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of paraphernalia, reckless driving, no driver’s license, no insurance, running a stop sign and no seatbelt, Magri said.

Hight was previously convicted by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department for felony theft of government property, Magri said.

In another case, an officer conducted a traffic stop at Palestine Road near Beech Street on July 1 at 10:51 a.m. after 32-year-old Charles Kirkland of 28 Charles Kellar Rd. was observed not wearing a seatbelt, Magri said.

When the officer approached the vehicle, Kirkland was unable to provide proof of insurance, Magri said.

Through an initial investigation, the officer learned Kirkland’s license was suspended and he had several warrants issued by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, Magri said.

When the officer conducted a vehicle search, he found a foil wrapper containing an off-white substance believed to be heroin and a syringe containing an unknown liquid, Magri said.

Kirkland was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. He was issued a citation for no seatbelt, no insurance and driving while license suspended, Magri said.