NORTH VERNON — A traffic stop ended in the arrest of two North Vernon residents on drug-related charges.
North Vernon Police Department Officer Anthony Bagby initiated a traffic stop at 8:47 p.m. Saturday when he observed a vehicle driven by Jarel Haines, 41, commit a moving violation on Madison Avenue in North Vernon. During the traffic stop, Bagby noticed several indicators that made him believe criminal activity was occurring, said Sgt. Andrew Richmond, North Vernon police spokesman.
Bagby called for Officer Wes Thayer and requested a K-9. Thayer arrived and was able to interview the passenger of the vehicle, Ezra Engle, 18, Richmond said.
K-9 Officer Shane Trepanier arrived with his partner, Zobi. An exterior sniff of the vehicle conducted by Zobi alerted police to the odor of a narcotic drug coming from inside the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and Bagby found about 15 grams of methamphetamine in one large bag and two smaller bags. Haines also was found to have several small packages of suspected heroin in his pocket at the scene, Richmond said.
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Haines and Engle were arrested and transported to the Jennings County Jail. While being processed at the jail, another small bag of methamphetamine and a bag of pills identified as suboxone, a prescription-only controlled substance, were found hidden in Haines’ clothing, Richmond said.
Haines was booked on preliminary charges of felony dealing in a controlled substance, felony maintaining a common nuisance and felony possession of a legend drug. He has been released on $2,605 bond, according to jail officials.
Engle was booked on preliminary charges of felony dealing in a controlled substance, felony maintaining a common nuisance, felony possession of a legend drug. She was being held on $2,605 bond, according to jail officials.
