On 12 Sep 11 Washington County Deputy Sheriff Holbert conducted a traffic stop near milepost eleven on State Route 339 after determining an individual driving a vehicle did not have a valid operator’s license. As he conducted the stop, Deputy Holbert noticed the 38 year old back seat passenger, Sealy Ridge Road, Vincent, was making furtive movements as if he were placing something behind his back. Prompted to search the vehicle after a canine indicated the presence of narcotics, Deputy Holbert discovered marijuana and a marijuana pipe concealed in the crease of the back seat.
In addition to the marijuana, a pat down for weapons on the driver, age 31, also of Sealy Ridge Road, revealed a medication packet containing a Fentanyl patch. Fentanyl is a potent analgesic 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl in patch form is designed to be released over a period of time but can be altered and abused in a number of ways. The man stated the medication was not his and he obtained it from a friend. In addition, during questioning of another vehicle passenger, Deputy Holbert noticed a female, age 30, of Sealy Ridge Road, moving an unknown object around in her mouth. The woman produced the item from her mouth, which was another Fentanyl patch. The female admitted she concealed the patch in a cigarette pack and attempted to further hide it in her mouth.
As a result of the traffic stop, one suspec was arrested for felony charges of violating the terms of his parole and possession of drugs and a misdemeanor charge of driving under a suspended license; one was arrested for misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drugs; and the female was arrested for felony charges of possession of drugs and tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor charge of violating the terms of her probation. The suspects remain incarcerated pending their initial court appearance. More information can be found here.
