Local man arrested during traffic stop

Picayune Police was patrolling Memorial Blvd on January 5, 2019, at around 11:30 p.m. when a patrol officer observed a sliver Chevrolet SUV travelling westbound with no headlights being displayed by the vehicle according to Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri.

Magri said the patrol officer attempted to conduct a travel stop, but the vehicle turned right (northbound) onto Hwy 11. The officer initiated a siren in an attempt to get the vehicle to stop. At this time, the officer observed the driver to toss an unknown item from the driver’s side window. The vehicle finally came to a stop at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Bruce Street. The driver was identified as Channing Cole Maher, age 31, 1470 Hwy 43 North, Picayune.

While speaking with Maher, he detected an odor of Marijuana emitting from the vehicle. At this point, the officer had Maher to step out of the vehicle and the officer conducted a safety pat down. The officer asked for consent to search the vehicle which was granted. A second patrol officer arrived on the scene.

During the search of the vehicle, Magri stated that the officers located a set of black digital scales commonly used to weigh and distribute a controlled substance. The officer then went back to the area on Hwy 11 where Maher had tossed an item from the vehicle. The officer located a clear plastic bag that contained three plastic baggies that contained a crystal-like substance that appeared to be Crystal Methamphetamine.

Maher was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent