Authorities revealed on Friday that a 2-year-old grandchild was present in the vehicle of a Mississippi grandmother who, along with two others, was charged with trafficking cocaine to north Alabama. The child was unrestrained at the time of the vehicle stop earlier this week.
On Wednesday, a multi-jurisdictional investigation was launched by a Drug Task Force agent in Lawrence County. The investigation focused on a planned drug operation that involved the delivery of one pound of cocaine 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, who was the main suspect of the operation, was apprehended upon the arrival of the vehicle in Red Bay.
James Smith, a resident of West Point, and Stephanie Wofford from Houston, Mississippi, were also present in the vehicle.
The sheriff’s office reported that Smith was discovered carrying a loaded gun at the time of his arrest.
Wofford’s grandchild, who was just 2 years old, was also in the vehicle, but unfortunately, they were not properly secured in a child safety seat.
The sheriff’s office has stated that the Department of Human Resources has been informed to handle the situation concerning the child, resulting in the custody of all adults involved.
A K-9 was called in to inspect the vehicle and indicated the presence of narcotics by detecting an odor emanating from the vehicle.
During the search of the vehicle, authorities discovered a plastic bag in the trunk that held approximately one pound of cocaine.
Jones, along with all the other suspects, faced charges of drug trafficking and chemical endangerment of a child. In addition, Jones was specifically charged with providing false identification to law enforcement.
Smith was charged with several additional offenses, including possessing a firearm while being prohibited, possessing a firearm with an altered serial number, and possessing controlled substances. Specifically, he had Buprenorphine sublingual strips and a medicine bottle that contained a different substance.
After their arrest, the three suspects were taken into custody and held at the Franklin County jail. Jones and Wofford were each granted $100,000 cash bonds.
The sheriff’s office expressed their appreciation for the efforts of all the agencies involved in ensuring the safe and successful execution of the operation.
Several organizations were involved in the operation, including the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Russellville Police Department, Red Bay Police Department, and the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi.