The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A discarded backpack filled with suspected drugs led the authorities to arrest a man and woman after they reportedly returned to retrieve it hours later near a highway bypass.
According to the authorities, the investigation began when a resident called 911 to report that two individuals in a white SUV had allegedly thrown a black backpack onto private property along a road just off the highway. Deputies later recovered the bag and said it contained a large quantity of suspected meth, a smaller amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and personal belongings.
The investigators removed the suspected drugs and placed the backpack back where it had been found while monitoring the area with a trail camera. The authorities said they believed the individuals would return.
Hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a white SUV believed to be the one in question was reportedly seen returning to the location, and the authorities conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Investigators said a woman was driving the SUV while a man was seated in the passenger seat. The pair were reportedly described as longtime acquaintances who had been in the area visiting casinos.
The events were believed to have started earlier that afternoon. At around 3:30 p.m., deputies assigned to a safety checkpoint near the Mississippi Department of Transportation building on the bypass had observed a white SUV turn onto a private road just before reaching the checkpoint. The vehicle later reentered the highway heading south, which the authorities believed was an attempt to avoid the roadblock.
Following the stop, both individuals were taken into custody. The man was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. The woman was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, driving under a suspended license, and having an expired license.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a drug offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.