By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
Three Brewton area residents were arrested over the Thanksgiving holidays on drug charges ranging from possession to trafficking of drugs.
On Thursday, Chester Hart Nelson, Jr. of 20765 Highway 29, and Beverly Ann Brown Crawford of 4701 Foshee Road in Brewton, were arrested following a traffic stop by Officer Travis Shoumake with the Brewton Police Department.
The vehicle, driven by Nelson, was stopped on Deer Street in Brewton with assistance by Brewton Police Officers Davis and McGraw. As the officers performed a search on the vehicle a plastic bag containing powder cocaine, straws, baking soda and a measuring cup was discovered. Nelson, along with Crawford, who was a passenger in the vehicle, were both placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center for booking.
Nelson, 46, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $5,000, which is posted and was released on Nov. 24.
Crawford, 30, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $5,000. As of press time Tuesday afternoon, she remained in custody at the Escambia County Detention Center
The third person arrested on drug charges also resulted from a traffic sop by Brewton Police on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Kevin Deandra Campbell, 19, of 1306 Sowell Road, was arrested by Brewton Police officers Steven Ferguson and Brock Holt following a traffic stop on East Jackson Street in Brewton.
After officers stopped the vehicle for speeding, Campbell jumped out of the vehicle and ran into a wooded area. He was apprehended by Officer Ferguson following the foot-chase.
Upon search of the vehicle, officers recovered powder cocaine with a street value of about $12,000 and crack cocaine with a street value of about $3,000. Campbell was also found to be in possession of $3,400 in cash as he was searched.
Campbell, who is also known as Yak, was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center where he was charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking crack cocaine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $100,000. As of press time on Tuesday afternoon, he remained in custody at the Escambia County Detention Center.
Agents from the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force responded and assisted the Brewton Police officers with the investigation.
The Task Force is comprised of law enforcement agencies that include the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Poarch Police Department, Escambia County District Attorney's office and the Escambia County Commission.
The Task Force receives 50 percent of its funding from a grant funded by the Bureau of Justice Affairs Division of the United States Department of Justice and is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The remainder of the funds is provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, the Atmore police Department, the Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's office.