BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
TOMAHAWK — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk and deputies seized more than 86 grams of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop Thursday night on Milo Road in Tomahawk.
Authorities arrested Brandi Moore, 35, and Larry Joe Horn Jr., 58, both of Inez, following a consent search that also turned up pills, drug paraphernalia and cash, according to the arrest report.
Sheriff Kirk said deputies stopped the vehicle at approximately 6:31 p.m. after observing a sign covering the rear window, obstructing the driver’s view, and the vehicle crossing the double yellow line while rounding a left-hand curve.
“The driver and passenger acted very nervously and were moving around inside the vehicle,” Deputy Jameson Wall reported.
Officers asked both individuals to exit the vehicle and said they observed a Natural Light can in the cup holder.
During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found three individual baggies containing a crystal-like substance weighing approximately 7 grams, along with 10 loose orange pills inside a purse on the passenger side. They also found a bottle of Gabapentin, filled Feb. 9, which should have contained 90 pills but instead contained only 49, according to the report.
In the back seat, officers said they discovered a cloth bag containing a contact case with approximately 0.5 grams of a crystal-like substance. Deputies also located a scale and additional small baggies.
Authorities reported recovering $73 from the purse and $1,570 in cash in the male subject’s pockets.
While checking under the hood, deputies said they discovered a clear bag tucked between the radiator and the front bumper. Inside, officers reported finding a large bag and a smaller baggie containing suspected methamphetamine. The large bag weighed approximately 75.6 grams and the smaller bag weighed approximately 3.2 grams.
Both suspects face charges of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (less than 2 grams of methamphetamine); trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense; possession of drug paraphernalia; and open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle.
Horn also faces a charge of obstructed vision and/or windshield.
Both are lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Editor’s note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.