PALESTINE —
A 32-year-old Palestine man described by authorities as “a known drug trafficker” was arrested Thursday morning on weapon and drug charges.
Jeremy Dewayne Smith, 32, of Palestine was arrested around 10 a.m. Thursday during the course of a traffic stop on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance less than 28 grams, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
The sheriff said Anderson County sheriff’s deputy Donnie Myers stopped a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by Smith on East Palestine Avenue in the area of the former Rusk school because he had knowledge the person did not have a current driver’s license.
“We had received information earlier in the day that he (Smith) was out trying to deal drugs,” Taylor said.
After placing Smith under arrest for failing to have a valid driver’s license, officers searched the suspect’s vehicle, the sheriff stated.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Chason subsequently arrived at the scene to provide backup.
“During the inventory of the vehicle, they found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun in the console of the vehicle,” Taylor said.
Officers also found “an unlabeled orange pill bottle” containing 11 Xanax tablets, the sheriff added.
Xanax is a controlled substance prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder, but is also sold illegally on the street.
Taylor described Smith as “a known drug trafficker in our area.”
No other drugs were found in Smith’s vehicle, according to the sheriff.
As of Thursday afternoon, Smith remained in the Anderson County Jail awaiting arraignment on the charges.
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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