A routine traffic stop by the Picayune Police Department resulted in the seizure of controlled substances and a second DUI arrest last week.
The case occurred at 11:23 p.m. on Jan. 2, when an officer conducted a traffic stop on a green Ford Expedition for no tag light on Bogan Circle near South Beech Street, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
The driver, identified as Larry Jerome Stubbs, 61, of 1500 Bogan Circle Apt. F1, was unable to provide a license or proof of insurance, Magri said.
The officer observed Stubbs to allegedly have slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, an unsteady stance and the odor of alcohol on his breath, Magri said.
Through a check with NCIC, the officer confirmed Stubbs’ license was suspended for a previous DUI conviction, Magri said.
While speaking with Stubbs, the officer noticed the suspect was concealing a white substance in his mouth, Magri said.
After ordering Stubbs multiple times to open his mouth, Stubbs began to walk away, ignoring the officer’s commands, Magri said.
After a short struggle, Stubbs was taken into custody and the officer was able to recover the white substance from Stubbs’ mouth, which was determined to be three white rocklike substances believed to be crack cocaine, Magri said.
Stubbs was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, DUI second offence, disorderly conduct, failure to comply, resisting arrest, driving while license suspended, no proof of liability insurance and no tag light, Magri said.
Stubbs was later released on a $10,250 bond.
According to Mississippi state law, a second DUI conviction within five years of the previous offense can result in fines between $600 and $1,500, five days to six months in jail and two-year license suspension.