Honk News (Franklin County, KY ) – A Mississippi grandmother, along with two others, faces charges for trafficking cocaine to north Alabama. Authorities reported that she had her unrestrained 2-year-old grandchild with her when their vehicle was stopped earlier this week.
On Wednesday, an agent from the Lawrence County Drug Task Force launched a multi-jurisdictional investigation into a planned drug operation. Authorities reported that one pound of cocaine was set to be delivered from West Point, Mississippi, to Red Bay, Alabama, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
Darius Jones, a resident of West Point, Mississippi, was apprehended as the vehicle reached Red Bay, marking a significant development in the operation.
Accompanying them in the vehicle were James Smith from West Point and Stephanie Wofford hailing from Houston, Mississippi. The Sheriff’s Office reported that Smith was discovered in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest.
A 2-year-old grandchild of Wofford was present in the vehicle and was not properly secured in a child safety seat.
The sheriff’s office reported that the Department of Human Resources was alerted to handle the situation involving the child, leading to the apprehension of all adults involved.
A K-9 unit was brought in to inspect the vehicle and indicated the presence of a narcotic scent coming from it.
Authorities discovered a plastic bag in the trunk of the vehicle, which held approximately a pound of cocaine.
Each of the suspects faced charges related to drug trafficking and the chemical endangerment of a child, with Jones additionally charged for providing a false name to law enforcement.
Smith encountered further allegations related to prohibited individuals possessing firearms, having an altered firearm with a modified serial number, and two counts of possessing controlled substances, including Buprenorphine sublingual strips and another controlled substance found in a medicine bottle labeled for a different substance.
Three individuals have been taken into custody and are now in the Franklin County jail. Jones and Wofford received cash bonds totaling $100,000.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation, stating, “All agencies involved deserve recognition for the work that was done to ensure that the operation was carried out safely and successfully.”