Traffic stops lead to drug arrests by Columbus police

Columbus police are reporting two recent traffic stops that turned into drug arrests.

Columbus Police Officer Frank Dickman stopped a vehicle at about 10 a.m. Wednesday near Beam Road and 25th Street for the seatbelt violation. The officer discovered a passenger, 44 year old Charles W. Sherfick of Columbus, appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine, said Lt. Matt Harris with the police department

The officer determined that Sherfick was wanted on a warrant out of Marion County and that the driver of the vehicle, 41-year-old Samantha Banks of Columbus was also wanted on a warrant. During a search of the car police allegedly discovered syringes, razor blades, methamphetamine and prescription drugs without a prescription.

Sherfick was arrested on the warrant, and for preliminary charges of possession of a legend drug injection device and possession of methamphetamine. Banks is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a legend drug injection device, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance, as well as the Bartholomew County warrant.

Wednesday evening an officer stopped a vehicle on Kentucky Avenue for failing to use a turn signal, Harris said. Officer Troy Love reports that his police dog, Argo, alerted to the smell of narcotics in the vehicle. During a search of the pockets of the driver, 26-year-old Anton L. Thompson, police allegedly discovered cocaine. Thompson was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of cocaine and a legend drug injection device.