Picayune Police officers recovered a rifle and large amounts of narcotics during two separate incidents last week.
On March 14 at 10:36 p.m., narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop at Bruce Street near South Main Street for careless driving, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
Upon speaking with the driver, identified as Willie Thompson, 53, of 666 Sycamore Street, Bay St. Louis, detectives could smell the odor of what was believed to be marijuana coming from the vehicle, Magri said.
Detectives then asked Thompson and the passenger, Reginald Smith, 38, of 301 South Blanks Ave., to exit the vehicle, Magri said.
Thompson was unable to provide proof of insurance and had an expired license, Magri said.
While speaking with the men, detectives learned there was a hand-rolled cigarette containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in the front center console ashtray, Magri said.
Detectives then searched the vehicle, recovering the cigarette and a large plastic bag on the passenger side floorboard containing a green leafy substance believed to be synthetic marijuana, Magri said.
Thompson was arrested for possession of synthetic marijuana in a motor vehicle, careless driving, no proof of insurance and driving with an expired license. Smith was arrested for possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, Magri said.
In a separate incident on March 16 at 1:07 p.m., officers were dispatched to a local convenience store in reference to a civil dispute, Magri said.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant who stated she had been arguing with a man, later identified as Alexander Fredrick, 21, of 8429 River Dune Street, Tampa, Florida Magri said.
Fredrick was found sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot. While speaking with him, the officer could smell a strong odor of what he believed to be marijuana coming from the vehicle, Magri said.
Through further investigation, it was learned there were several burnt hand rolled cigarettes containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in the ashtray, Magri said.
Upon searching vehicle, the officer located the cigarettes as well as a large plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, an AR15 rifle and a bottle of bonded whiskey underneath the driver’s front seat, Magri said. Fredrick was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church while in possession of a firearm and possession of bonded whiskey, Magri said.