Drug busts on the rise in West Pelzer

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The following are among an increasing number of drug related incidents the West Pelzer Police Department has seen recently:
Aug. 6 – Tyler Matthew Strickland, 23, was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and outstanding probation warrants after being observed walking on Main Street, in West Pelzer. According to reports, three hypodermic needles and a small quantity of a crystal like substance were found in his backpack. The substance weighed approximately .06 grams, and field tested positive as methamphetamine. He was transported to ACDC.
A citation was written for possession of drug paraphernalia. and a warrant being sought for possession of methamphetamines. C. Brewer investigated.
Aug. 2 – Two people were arrested and a stolen vehicle recovered after a vehicle was observed at a residence on Burkett St. in West Pelzer.
According to reports, while on patrol in the area of Burkett St, Chief Brewer and Lt. Eliopoulos observed a gray Mazda four door in the yard of 9 Burkett St., with no annual sticker on the license plate.
The report states that the residence has been the scene of multiple drug arrests involving narcotics.
The vehicle was observed leaving the residence and a traffic stop was initiated in the parking lot of Midway Manor. During the stop it was determined the vehicle was stolen out of Greenville County. Inside the vehicle were several debit cards and personal checks that did not belong to either of the people in the vehicle.
The driver, Elisha Mcgee Wade, white female, age 36, was arrested for driving under suspension for failure to pay traffic tickets, improper vehicle license display and possession of stolen goods.
A passenger in the vehicle, Harlei Mason, white female, age 24, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a hypodermic needle was found in her purse which was on the front passenger floor board.
The vehicle was towed by Main Street Motors and both were transported to ACDC without incident.
July 21 – Two people were arrested after a gold Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo was observed on Stephanie Drive being operated by a person who was known to not have a license.
According to reports, the vehicle made a left onto Palmetto Station Way without using a turn signal and the vehicle did not have a compliance sticker for window tint.
The driver, Christopher Channing Presley, white male, age 27, was arrested for driving with a suspended license, which was suspended for failure to stop for a blue light.
A search of the vehicle found a rolled marijuana cigarette in the ashtray and a large quantity of crystal like substance, field tested positive for methamphetamine, which was found in a bag in the console.
Presley denied that the drugs were his, stating that some girls had used his truck the night before.
After being arrested for DUS and taken to the police department, Presley called the party who had used his truck the night before. Chief Brewer spoke with Scarlett Makayla Matteson, stating he would like to talk to her about the contents of Presley’s vehicle.
Matteson voluntarily came to the police department and stated the marijuana was hers and that she had hidden the meth in the vehicle.
Matteson, 21, received a citation for possession of marijuana and a warrant issued for trafficking methamphetamines. She was transported to ACDC by Sgt. S. Stoller.
Presley received citations for manner of driving and driving under suspension and was released.
July 10 – Joey Derrick Owen, white male, 31 and Kayla Dakota Owens, white female, 25, were arrested after officers observed two vehicles parked in the rear of the 7-11 at Hwy. 8 & Hwy. 20 with no headlights on. According to reports, when the police vehicle entered the parking lot, both vehicles started their engines and left the area in opposite directions at a higher than normal rate of speed.
Chief Brewer followed a Nissan Sentra which was going in the same direction as the police vehicle and found the tag came back registered to a Honda and the license plate sticker was invalid.
When a traffic stop was initiated, the vehicle pulled into the BiLo parking lot. The driver, Kayla Owens, was unable to provide proof of insurance or registration, stating that she was buying the vehicle from a Bryan McJunkin.
A DMV check showed Owens had a suspended license for failure to pay traffic tickets. She was placed under arrest for driving under suspension.
A clear plastic baggy with a green leafy substance was observed in her purse. The baggy also contained a white pill with “460” imprinted on it. The pill was Buprenorphine hydrochloride, a CSA schedule 3 narcotic. During the stop, Williamston officer K. Haigler arrived as backup and helped with the investigation.
According to reports, Haigler requested the passenger Joey Owen, to exit the vehicle.
A blue container which contained approximately 8.2 grams of a crystal like substance field tested positive for methamphetamine was found in a backpack in the passenger floorboard.
It also contained a glass pipe, , a digital scale, several small baggies and a metallic spoon.
Two handguns were found during a search of the vehicle.
A black 9 mm SCC, serial number 110401, was found under the seat. A Denali 380, serial number K07139, was hidden in a baby seat in the vehicle.
Kayla Owens was issued a citation for prowling, driving under suspension 2nd, no vehicle license, operating an uninsured vehicle and simple possession of marijuana.
Joey Owens received citations for prowling and possession of drug paraphernalia. A warrant was being sought for possession of methamphetamines and for possession of the two firearms by a felon. The vehicle was towed and both were transported to ACDC. C. Brewer investigated.