Four people arrested in cocaine bust
Published 4:35 pm Tuesday, September 25, 2018
On Saturday night at approximately 11:44 p.m. Bainbridge Public Safety responded to a call from Georgia State Patrol requesting assistance, where four people were arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
Sgt. Toby Miller arrived on scene and assisted Troopers Meed Kelly and Brian Palmer. Kelly and Palmer were already in the process of arresting two of the men, Leroy Hamilton Jr. and David Crawford, so Miller went to assist in interviewing Sherika Williams and Arthur Royal.
Miller said he had heard of both of the individuals, but did not know their criminal history.
Williams was being removed from the vehicle, when Miller noticed a liquid running down her leg and smelling of alcohol. Williams revealed to the officers she had a cold beer hidden in her purse. Kelly and Palmer requested William’s purse to retrieve the beer, but Williams did not want to hand it over. She became rigid and asked why they needed the purse. It was eventually seized, where officers found a glass crack pipe inside a white and purple sock and they found a white powdery substance inside a jewelry bag.
After they discovered the items on Williams, officers attempted to remove the other passenger, Royal.
Once both passengers were removed from the vehicle, Palmer searched the interior of the car and noticed a large amount of white powdery substance scattered all over the back passenger seats, especially where Williams was previously sitting.
Miller said he utilized a field cocaine test, and the substance tested positive. Miller was unable to say the exact amount that was in the vehicle due to its scattered nature, but believes it to be a couple of grams.
Miller said he definitely thinks the backseat passengers were trying to get rid of it or hide it, and that is why they had Hamilton Jr. give officers a hard time and need to call for backup.
All four of the passengers were arrested because officers could not identify who the cocaine belonged to. They were all charged with Possession of a schedule II controlled substance. Williams was also charged with open container, as well as Hamilton. Hamilton was charged with obstruction of an officer as well.
Crawford was charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane among other charges.