Picayune Police officers made two arrests in the past week that resulted in the seizure of large amounts of methamphetamine and other narcotics.
On May 8, at 2:43 p.m., narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop at Harran Drive near Beech Street for no seatbelt, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
Upon identifying the passenger as Nicole Evans, 37, of 25914 Pine Crest Drive, detectives learned Evans had outstanding warrants for shoplifting, Magri said.
At the detective’s request, Evans exited the vehicle and was searched by a female officer with the Picayune Housing Authority, Magri said.
The officer recovered a red plastic container containing a crystal-like substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine from Evan’s person, Magri said.
Meanwhile, detectives searched Evans’ purse, locating a red medication bottle containing a plastic bag filled with a white powdery substance believed to be heroin. They also recovered three pills identified as Norco 10 mg, a schedule II narcotic, Magri said.
The female officer also recovered $157 from Evans’ bra, which was seized, Magri said.
Further investigations determined Evans was allegedly selling the narcotics. At the timer of her arrest, Evans’ 4-year-old child was in the vehicle, Magri said.
Evans was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, child abuse and felony possession of a controlled substance. The driver was not charged, Magri said.
In a separate incident on May 4, a Picayune Police officer was dispatched to a local quick stop on West Union Road at 1:42 a.m. in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked at a gas pump since midnight, Magri said.
When officers arrived, they found the driver, later identified as David Glenn Smith, Jr., 41, of 774 Ceasar Road, Carriere, passed out in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, Magri said.
The officer opened the door to speak to Smith and immediately smelled a strong odor of what he believed to be marijuana, Magri said.
The officer asked Smith to exit the vehicle and conducted a pat down. The officer recovered one pill bottle containing three plastic bags filled with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, one pill bottle containing 20 pills identified as Xanax, a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, one syringe containing a clear liquid substance and $810 in cash, all from various pockets in Smith’s clothing, Magri said.
Smith was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle. The cash was also seized, Magri said.