Major marijuana bust recorded
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 14, 2003
Law enforcement officials in the county made a few drug arrests over the weekend, including a nine-pound marijuana bust.
Deputies with the Covington County Sheriff's Department working routine traffic enforcement on US Highway 331 South stopped a blue Mercedes Benz headed south bound for two counts of traffic violations Sunday, according to a release from the department. During the traffic stop deputies located approximately nine pounds of marijuana with a street value of approximately $23,040 in the back seat area of the car. Charged with drug trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia are Jeremy Warren Hill, 20, of Ft. Walton Beach and James Elliot Holmes, 20, also of Ft. Walton Beach. Both remain in the Covington County Jail with bail set at $270,000 each. The 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force assisted with the arrest, according to deputies.
According to a deputy, both Holmes and Hill were released late Sunday after posting bail.
In a separate arrest, Chad Carlisle, 18, was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after a routine traffic stop on US Hwy. 84 in River Falls.
"Early Friday morning Carlisle was stopped for improper lights," River Falls Police Chief Jeff Holland said. "The smell of smoking marijuana was noticed, and upon search of the vehicle a small amount of the drug was found with drug paraphernalia."
Holland added both the charges are classified as misdemeanors. Rolling papers and "roaches," or small joints were among the drug paraphernalia found, and a small bag of the drug was also found, he said.
Holland said bond was set at $1,500 for Carlisle; $1,000 for the possession charge and $500 for the drug paraphernalia.
In a separate, unrelated arrest, Sheriff's Deputy Greg Jackson stopped James Scarver, 28, for reckless endangerment. Scarver was traveling on Hwy. 55 at speeds exceeding 100 mph, according to Jackson.
"He traveled right onto 55 and turned his lights out," Jackson said. "He led for several miles before finally stopping in River Falls."
Jackson added Scarver was wanted for seven outstanding warrants in Crenshaw County for bad checks. He was also charged with attempt to elude and revoked driver's licensee. He is currently being held at the county jail.