HPD arrest 4 on drug charges [Harlan Daily Enterprise, Ky.]

Dec. 20--Harlan City Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop Saturday night and arrested four people on drug charges. Police said several items of methamphetamine precursors were found in the vehicle.

Officer Jeff Owens said he was behind a 1997 Ford Explorer on Waldon Road that didn't have any tail lamps on and he initiated a traffic stop.

"Upon contact with the driver, I noticed that he had bloodshot eyes with pupil dilation," Owens said.

The driver, Brandon B. Howard, 26, of Hoskinston, in Leslie County, failed a field sobriety test, according to Owens.

"Mr. Howard gave us consent to search the vehicle," Owens said. "Following the search, we found a can of Coleman fuel, two boxes of pseudoephedrine, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, a marijuana pipe and several needles."

Howard was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, no tail lamps, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a meth precursor, failure to produce insurance card, failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance and failure to wear a seat belt.

The vehicle was tagged in Leslie County.

Also arrested was James Couch, 24, of Thousandsticks. He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a meth precursor and public intoxication.

Joshua Morgan, 23, of Hyden, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sgt. Mike Boggs and officer Rodney Sturgill assisted Owens at the scene. Sturgill arrested the female in the vehicle.

Nikita Hoskins, 18, of Asher, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a meth precursor and prescription controlled substance not in the proper container.

Sturgill said Hoskins had reportedly bought Sudafed in Walmart.

"She had her prescription with her and the pill count was off, and she had pills in the wrong container. She also had syringes in her purse," Sturgill said.

All four people were lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center.

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