Expired Tag Leads To Drug Arrest

A Dodge Caravan turning onto I-40 turned into a drug arrest for Newport police early Tuesday morning. That vehicle was spotted with an expired tag on Heritage Drive…shortly after the van turned onto I-40, it was pulled over. At the wheel was 24 year old Erica Valentine. she was found to be in possession of several syringes, and a bag of methamphetamine could be seen in plain view in a compartment on the vehicle’s dash. The passengers, 39 year old Justin Haney and 31 year old Tanya Forrester were taken into custody along with Valentine as the drugs were within reach of all them, digital scales were also in the vehicle. Justin Haney was found to have .3 grams of heroin in his wallet. Upon getting inside the jail, Forrester was found to have concealed 11 grams of marijuana in her bra. Upon searching her person, jail staff recovered 2 grams of heroin stuffed into a body cavity. While all three have been charged with possession of illegal narcotics, Forrester also now faces a charge of introduction of contraband into a penal facility.