Evansville, Ind. — Three individuals were taken into custody on May 23 after a traffic stop on Interstate 69 led to the discovery of a significant quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine.
According to authorities, a white Toyota Avalon was stopped near the 57/Petersburg Road exit for speeding, traveling 70 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone. The vehicle was occupied by driver Tanya Swearingen, front-seat passenger Alphonso Kelly, and rear-seat passenger Laurene Winrow.
During the stop, officers asked all three to exit the vehicle. As Kelly exited, a burnt glass pipe, commonly used as drug paraphernalia, fell to the ground. A K9 unit then conducted a search of the vehicle and gave a positive alert, prompting officers to conduct a thorough search.
Officers discovered a brown purse containing methamphetamine and cocaine in the front passenger seat area. Further search revealed cocaine hidden in Kelly’s right sock. Kelly also had an active felony warrant for dealing methamphetamine.
The total weight of the substances seized was 908.6 grams of methamphetamine and 71.8 grams of cocaine, both field-tested positive. All three occupants’ cellphones were confiscated as evidence.
The suspects were booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of dealing methamphetamine and cocaine. Authorities believe the trio may be involved in a larger drug trafficking network operating between Louisville, Kentucky, and Evansville.
