Picayune Police Department narcotics detectives made several drug-related arrests on March 21, seizing large amounts of narcotics and two vehicles.
The first case began at 3:37 p.m. that day when narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop on a white Crown Victoria at South Blanks Avenue near East Canal Street for careless driving, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
While speaking with driver, identified as Alonzo Pugh, Jr., 29, of 610 5th Street, detectives could smell an intoxicating beverage coming from the vehicle, Magri said. Pugh was also unable to provide proof of insurance.
While speaking with Pugh, detectives were alerted to the presence of an open 32 oz. beer in the vehicle, prompting a search, Magri said.
Detectives located the open beer, and on the backseat in plain view, they found a large clear plastic bag containing a blue bandana and a black bandana, Magri said.
Upon opening the bag, detectives found $762 in cash, a set of digital scales covered in a green leafy residue believed to be from marijuana and one clear plastic bag containing green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, Magri said.
Pugh was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, careless driving, open beer, and no insurance, Magri said.
Detectives also seized the vehicle.
Later that day at 8:05 p.m., detectives conducted a traffic stop on Jackson Landing Road near Beech Street for no seatbelt.
Upon speaking with the driver, identified as James Lee, 46, of 970 Shirley Drive, detectives learned his license was suspended and he didn’t have proof of insurance, Magri said.
Lee was asked to exit the vehicle.
While detectives conducted a search of his person two pill bottles, one containing eight pills identified as Roxycodone and the other containing one pill identified as Hydromorphone, were found, Magri said.
Lee was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, no tag, driving while license suspended and no proof of insurance, Magri said.
Shortly after arresting Lee, narcotics detectives conducted a third traffic stop at 8:57 p.m. at South Beech Street near Jackson Landing Road on a tan Ford Escort for no tag, Magri said.
While speaking with the driver, identified as Jamie Mitchell, 29, of 121 Dozier Street, detectives learned her license was suspended due to controlled substance violations and she did not have proof of insurance, Magri said.
During the stop, detectives observed a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana on the passenger seat, Magri said.
Mitchell was asked to exit the vehicle and as she did, detectives observed what appeared to be a black, steel steak knife concealed in her hair, Magri said.
Detectives then searched the vehicle, locating an open pack of syringes on the passenger floorboard, a black pouch which contained two plastic bags with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, a glass vial full of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, a folded up dollar bill containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, a small wooden box containing a plastic bag with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, several pills identified as Xanax, several pills identified as Clonazepam, a set of digital scales and a small torch commonly used to heat crystal methamphetamine to convert it into a liquid for injection, Magri said.
Mitchell was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, three misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, no insurance and no tag, Magri said.
Her vehicle was also seized.