Traffic stop nets 80 grams of crack

/8/2008 7:54:00 AM

South Bloomfield Police discovered 80 grams of crack cocaine after a routine traffic stop Tuesday.

South Bloomfield police confiscated 80 grams of crack cocaine and $2,400 cash Tuesday.
Traffic stop nets 80 grams of crack
Minor incident turns into major bust for South Bloomfield

Trish Bennett

SOUTH BLOOMFIELD - A minor traffic stop turned into a major drug bust Tuesday when 80 grams of crack cocaine was discovered by the South Bloomfield Police department.

Samuel Lacy, 31, Priscilla Pleasant, 47, and Robert Page, 25, all of Columbus, were traveling southbound on U.S. Route 23 at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday when Sgt. Robert Dauberman witnessed their vehicle change lanes quickly in front of a semi without using a turn signal.

Dauberman, in his cruiser behind the semi, said he followed the vehicle into the parking lot of the Circle K gas station and quickly realized he was dealing with more than a simple traffic violation when he discovered the registered owner of the vehicle had a warrant out for his arrest.

"As soon as I started talking to them, their stories weren't matching and they were being deceptive," Dauberman said. "That's usually one of the first signs in a drug violation. It was textbook."

A canine unit from the Pickaway County Sheriff's department was called in to inspect the vehicle. Approximately 80 grams of crack cocaine was confiscated by the South Bloomfield police, along with $2,400 in cash.

"We had cause to impound the vehicle and conduct a search anyway," Dauberman said. "But getting Deputy [Tracy] Andrews to help out with his canine was icing on the cake."

In addition to the drug seizure, the stop resulted in seven felony charges, five misdemeanor charges and two recovered warrants between the three suspects. The warrant for Pleasant had been issued by the U.S. Marshal's office in Columbus.

All three suspects were charged with drug possession and trafficking, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.

Page faces additional counts of identity fraud and obstruction. Lacy, the driver, was also charged with failing to signal a lane change and driving under a suspended license.

The three were arrested and are being held in the Pickaway County jail pending arraignment.

According to Chief Ken McCoy, they believe the 80 grams recovered Tuesday is the second largest crack cocaine bust in Pickaway County history.