Pearl River County Deputies discovered drug activity during two separate traffic stops.

The first stop occurred as Cpl. Joe Garcia and Deputy Bruce Eades were on patrol and noticed a vehicle in the Barth community driven by a man the officers knew from previous incidents, said Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier.

Knowing that 33-year-old Earl Lee Star Jr., had a warrant out for his arrest for conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, the officers pulled over the vehicle. Saucier said during Star’s arrest, a pat down was conducted in which 2.2 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine was found in his possession.

Star was arrested on the warrant and for possession of a controlled substance, Saucier said.

On Friday, Deputy Justin Faia was patrolling West Union Road when he saw a red truck take a curve at a high rate of speed and cross the double yellow line, Saucier said. Faia got behind the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as 37-year-old Jamie Duncan, fled.

The pursuit continued onto U.S. Highway 11 where Duncan passed a vehicle recklessly in an attempt to lose the deputy and then proceeded onto White Chapel Road where, at the 100 block, Duncan stopped in a dirt driveway and began to walk away from the vehicle at a rapid pace, Saucier said. Faia was able to chase and apprehend Duncan, who lives at 83 White Chapel Rd.

Duncan was  handcuffed and searched. Saucier said during the search, Faia found Duncan to be in possession of one Xanax, 88 Somas and a bag containing a white powdery substance. Field tests conducted on the white powder substance showed it to be cocaine, Saucier said. A half empty bottle of whiskey also was found in the vehicle.

Faia placed Duncan under arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance for the cocaine, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance for the prescription pills, DUI, reckless driving, failure to yield to blue lights, resisting arrest by fleeing, no turn signal, disorderly conduct, disregard of traffic device for running a stop sign, possession of beer, driving while license suspended and no insurance. Saucier said Duncan was also found to be wanted in St. Tammany Parish for an unknown charge. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department now has a hold on Duncan.