Two facing drug charges after North Vernon traffic stop

An early morning traffic stop today in North Vernon led to the arrest of two people on drug related charges.

According to the North Vernon Police Department, officers made the traffic stop early today near Fifth and Buckeye Streets. A police dog was brought the scene and alerted to the smell of drugs inside the vehicle. A search uncovered multiple firearms, fentanyl, pills, marijuana drug paraphernalia and synthetic urine.

38-year-old Nathan Littrell was arrested on preliminary charges for possessing a controlled substance, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a syringe.

34-year-old Melissa Popejoy is being accused of possessing paraphernalia, a controlled substance and marijuana.

Task Force Commander Graham Heffelfinger said that officers are “turning what appear to be simple traffic stops into powerful investigations that remove fentanyl, illegal firearms, and dangerous narcotics from our community before they can harm someone.”

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department also assisted.

Photos courtesy of North Vernon Police Department