Officers with the Picayune Police Department made two routine stops, which led to drug arrests, said Jeremy Magri, assistant to the Chief.

“On Dec. 20 at 9:05 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on North Beech and Long Bridge for an expired tag,” Magri said. “Upon speaking with the driver, the officers could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

“At this time the officer had the driver and passengers exit the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer located a cigarette pack containing a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana located on the right, rear-passenger side that was occupied by 18-year-old Devin Townsend of 700 North Main St., Apartment 8 in Picayune.

“At this time the officers arrested Townsend for possession of marijuana and he was transported to the Criminal Justice Center. The driver was released from the scene.”

On Dec. 21 at 9:15 p.m., while conducting a safety checkpoint at North Beech and Long Bridge, a vehicle approached the checkpoint and upon speaking with the driver, the officer observed a rear seat passenger who was identified as 22-year-old Kelvin Tyson of 614 Lewis Circle in Picayune making sudden movements in the rear of the vehicle, Magri said.

“The driver was unable to provide a driver’s license at which time he was instructed to pull over to the side of the road. The officer then had Tyson exit the vehicle due to his suspicious movements in the rear of the vehicle.”

The officer then conducted a pat down on Tyson, through which they uncovered a bag that he had been attempting to conceal, Magri said.

“The officer was able to smell a strong odor he believed to be marijuana emitting from the bag, at which time he recovered a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana,” Magri said. “The officer also uncovered two bottles of bonded whiskey.

“Tyson was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of bonded whiskey. He was transported to the Criminal Justice Center where he was booked on said charges and incarcerated.”