Two Phelps residents have been arrested on charges related to the trafficking of methamphetamine.
According to an arrest citation filed by Kentucky State Police Trooper Matthew Cornett, the arrests occurred on October 8 after he stopped a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado traveling on Ky. 194 in the Phelps area.
Trooper Cornett said he noticed the driver, later identified as Ira New, 59, of Broadtree Street in Freeburn, was not wearing a seat belt and that the vehicle had a broken brake light. New also failed to signal while turning onto Abes Branch.
During the traffic stop, Cornett searched New and reported that New pulled a bag containing a white, sandy substance and three pills from his pocket. The passenger, Hattie Duty, 47, of Abes Branch, consented to a search of the vehicle.
Inside the truck, troopers found a glass pipe, a small handgun, a digital scale, and approximately 50 grams of a rock or crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, according to the citation.
Both New and Duty denied knowledge of the drugs. They were arrested and taken to the Pike County Detention Center.
Duty was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine, first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
New was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine, first offense), second-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and traffic violations.
