Gun and Drugs Found After Traffic Stop Near Abita Springs

A Covington-area man, 35 year-old Jamal Harrison, was arrested after a large amount of narcotics and a handgun were located in his vehicle following a traffic stop.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday (May 12, 2023), a deputy with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to make a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup that was observed with illegal window tint and no license plate light on Highway 59 just south of Abita Springs. 

Failing to stop, the driver of the pickup, fled on to Casril Drive and then turned onto Soell Drive, where he pulled into a driveway before exiting the vehicle and running into a wooded area. The driver, later identified as Jamal Harrison was located and taken into custody.

During the investigation, deputies located 8.3 grams of fentanyl, 38.1 grams of crack cocaine, 36.8 grams of powdered cocaine, 240.4 grams of methamphetamine, 65.8 grams of marijuana, 1 Gabapentin 600 MG pill, 25 Gabapentin 100 MG pills, 10 Acetaminophen/Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills, a 9mm handgun and $1,792 in cash.

Harrison was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the following charges: Illegal window tint, No License Plate Light, Driving Under Suspension, Illegal Carrying of Weapons While in Possession of CDS, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Possession of Schedule I (marijuana), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I (marijuana), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I (fentanyl), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (methamphetamine), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (crack cocaine), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (powder cocaine), Possession of Schedule II (acetaminophen/oxycodone hydrochloride), Possession of Legend Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting an officer (two counts), and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses. Harrison was also booked on an outstanding warrant through the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for additional distribution charges.

“I am proud of the work of the deputy who made this traffic stop and successfully removed a large amount of very dangerous drugs off our streets,” Sheriff Randy Smith said.