The Columbia Police Department on Friday evening made an ordinary traffic stop that yielded an extraordinary find.
The stop occurred on Broad Street near High School Ave. around 9:41 p.m. Inside the vehicle, the officers discovered more than 2.5 pounds of marijuana, 5.7 grams of methamphetamine, multiple dosage units of Xanax and paraphernalia used for packaging and distributing narcotics, according to Police Chief Michael Kelly. Weapons found included an AK-47 pistol, Glock 27 and a Taurus 9mm pistol.
Arrested in the matter were Ceyon Unique Patterson, 20, and Chad Enos Martinez Jr., 25, both of Baton Rouge, and Douglas Jarrod Peters, 19, of Columbia.
Patterson was charged with misdemeanor possession of controlled substance. Her bond was set for $1,000.
Peters was charged with possession of a controlled substance – marijuana – with intent to distribute with a firearm and possession of controlled substance – methamphetamine – with a firearm. Bond was set for $26,000.
Martinez was charged with possession of controlled substance – marijuana – with intent to distribute with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bond was set for Martinez in the amount of $20,000.
Peters currently remains in the Marion County Jail as of press time Tuesday.
The investigation is currently ongoing. If you have any information, please call Metro Crime Stoppers at (601) 582-STOP or send in tips using the Crime Stoppers P3 Tips app.
