Traffic stop results in drug arrest

DESLOGE — A traffic stop for failing to maintain a single lane turned into a drug arrest for Desloge Police Officer Dan Russell. The arrest took place at 12:43 a.m. on Tuesday. Police Chief James Bullock said Russell had been following the vehicle when he saw it swerving in and out of lanes.

“There were three people inside the vehicle,” Bullock said. “The passengers’ eyed appeared to be watery and bloodshot. Their pupils were constricted. They were also acting very nervous.”

Bullock said Russell received permission from the driver to search the vehicle. The passengers and the driver were then asked to get out of the vehicle.

“Officer Russell searched the passengers once they got out of the vehicle,” the chief said. “He found a pipe that had the odor of marijuana on it in the pocket of the first passenger.”

The officer did not find any illegal items on the other passenger.

“While searching the vehicle he found marijuana in a clear, plastic bag and a water pipe,” Bullock said. “The items were found where the passenger in the back seat was sitting.”

The passenger, a 19-year-old Farmington man, was arrested. He is facing probable charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In an unrelated arrest, Officer Brad Judge arrested a 28-year-old Desloge man on Wednesday. The officer was called to an apartment on Abby Lane in reference to a domestic disturbance. The Desloge man was arrested for disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.