Traffic safety checkpoint on Highway 11 near Interstate 59 leads to arrest

A recent traffic safety checkpoint on Highway 11 near Interstate 59 resulted in the arrest of a local man, according to a press release from Picayune Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri.

Magri’s press release said that Picayune Police Narcotics Division and the departments Patrol Division were conducting the checkpoint on January 15, 2019, at approximately 2:36 p.m. when they came in contact with car driven by Dewayne Terrell Yates, age 28, of 583 Carroll Street, Apartment B, Picayune,MS.

When detectives approached the vehicle, they smelled a strong odor of what appeared to be Marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and detectives located a large plastic Tupperware type container which contained a large amount of clear plastic bags containing a green leafy residue believed to be Hydroponic Marijuana, and black digital scale containing a green leafy residue believed to be Hydroponic Marijuana under the front driver seat.

Magri’s press release said detectives also found additional clear plastic bags containing a a green leafy residue believed to be Hydroponic Marijuana with several torn corners of the bags located in the driver’s side door. These items are commonly used to prepare, package, and distribute controlled substances.

A further search of the vehicle by detectives revealed a clear plastic bag containing several yellow pills later identified to be Xanax, a metal grinder containing a green leafy substance believed to be Hydroponic Marijuana, and one hand rolled cigar containing a a green leafy substance believed to be Hydroponic Marijuana in the front center console.

Yates was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, transported to the Criminal Justice Center, booked, and incarcerated according to Magri’s press release.