One routine traffic stop and a community complaint uncovered what appeared to be two instances of illegal drug activity, leading to the arrest of three suspects.

Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Detective Rob Williams was on patrol on Dec. 17, when he conducted a routine stop in the 2000 block of U.S. Highway 11 for improper equipment and no turn signal, said Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier.

During that stop Williams picked up on clues that other illegal activities may be going on, so he asked for consent to search the vehicle from the driver, 43 Barry McQueen, 65183 Spur 41, Pearl River, La., Saucier said. In the search Williams found two grams of methamphetamine, prompting him to charge McQueen with felony possession of a controlled substance, Saucier said.

The second incident began as a community complaint concerning alleged drug activity at the home of 32 year-old David W. Ferrell, located at 123 Lilac Dr.

On Dec. 18, Saucier said Detective Sherman Gaspard responded to that complaint and went to Ferrell’s home to speak with him. After getting consent to search the home, Gaspard found two Hydrocodone pills for which Ferrell did not have a prescription, and found some paraphernalia used to smoke marijuana, Saucier said.

The results of the search gave Gaspard enough evidence to charge both Ferrell and 22 year-old Amanda Mitchell, who also lives at the home, with simple possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.