The Picayune Police Department is continuing efforts to remove controlled substances from city limits, making two drug-related arrests earlier this month.

On March 1 at 6:54 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop near a local motel after a vehicle failed to use a turn signal, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

The officer spoke with the driver, identified as Brandon Edwards, 34, of 931 Old Highway 11, Carriere, and one passenger, identified as Jamie Mitchell, 29, of 46 McCarty Island Road, Magri said.

Upon checking criminal databases, it was discovered Mitchell had an outstanding warrant with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department for possession of a controlled substance, Magri said.

After taking Mitchell into custody, officers conducted a search of her person, locating a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana inside a cigarette pack, Magri said.

The officer then found a brown leather wallet, later idedentifed as Edwards’, in the bed of pickup truck, which contained a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance believed to be crystal meth, Magri said.

Through further investigation, it was believed that Edwards was under the influence of a controlled substance and, as a result, was asked to submit to several field sobriety tests. However, he refused to undergo a blood test. Due to the findings during Edward’s field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI, Magri said.

Both subjects were transported to the Criminal Justice Center, where Edwards was arrested for DUI, no proof of insurance, felony possession of a controlled substance and no turn signal.

Mitchell was arrested for the outstanding warrant and was issued a post arrest citation for possession of marijuana, Magri said.

A second passenger was in the vehicle but was not charged, he said.