A traffic stop for an improper tag led narcotics investigators to find two suspects to be in illegal possession of suboxone.

Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said narcotics investigators with the sheriff’s department conducted a stop on July 7 near the intersection of Restertown Road and Highway 53 for the traffic violation.

During the stop the investigators found 42-year-old Melissa Sanders of 52 Woodland Dr., Lumberton behind the wheel and 29-year-old Seth Ladner of 87 Edmond Jones Rd., Lumberton in the passenger seat, Allison said.

As the officers spoke with the occupants of the vehicle they found Sanders’ driver’s license to be suspended, prompting the investigators to ask the occupants to exit the vehicle, Allison said.

As Ladner walked toward the rear of the vehicle the investigators saw several objects fall from his pants leg, Allison said, which were recovered and determined to be a set of scales and a suboxone film, leading to a search of the vehicle and occupants.

In the search the investigators found more suboxone along with paraphernalia commonly used in the packaging and sale of narcotics, including baggies and another set of scales, Allison said.

Ladner was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence and tampering with physical evidence, while Sanders was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence, tampering with physical evidence, no tag and no driver’s license, Allison said.