Published: September 24, 2009 03:39 pm      

Three pot busts in one day

Officers with Commerce Police Department arrested three defendants in less than three hours this week for possession of marijuana.

According to a release from the department, officers were called Tuesday to the 1800 block of Jackson Street to back up an off-duty officer. The suspects, identified as Justin Anthony Jacobs of Royse City, and Keontrai Redwine of Arlington, were detained after they parked their vehicle in a dark area, acting suspicious. When they were approached, they informed the off-duty officer they were about to go home, and had stopped to smoke a “blunt” — a cigar containing marijuana.

After back up officers arrived, a baggie of what is believed to be marijuana was located. Both subjects were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in a Drug Free Zone. Both stated they were freshmen at Texas A & M University-Commerce, were arraigned by Justice of the Peace James “Sarge” Erwin and had bonds set at $2,000 each. Both Jacobs and Redwine remained in custody at the Hunt County Jail as of Wednesday morning.

The second arrest occurred Wednesday in the 1500 block of Live Oak Street.

According to the press release, K-9 Officer Amanda Taylor stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation, but was met with some resistance from the occupants. The vehicle pulled into the driveway of their residence, and then the occupants darted inside a back room. Taylor followed and ordered them back outside, as she called for back up. Additional officers arrived and took control of both suspects. The passenger attempted to remove a baggie of marijuana from his shoe and kick it underneath his vehicle. Officers placed him under arrest and began a search.

The suspect’s other shoe was removed and another baggie of what is believed to be marijuana was found. He was transported to the Commerce Police Department for booking and to await transport to Hunt County Jail. He is charged with possession of marijuana in a Drug Free Zone, but his name was not released pending his arraignment before a Justice of the Peace.

In both cases above, the suspects were located in possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of Texas A & M University Commerce, which is in a Drug Free Zone. Possession of narcotics in a drug free zone enhances the charge to a degree higher than what it would normally be.