Three people were arrested Thursday on drug-related charges following two different routine traffic stops within two hours, according to Lt. Chuck Denham of the Gardendale Police Department.

At 10:43 a.m., an officer stopped a car at Tarrant Road and Twin Ridge Drive. The officer found ingredients for the drug methamphetamine in the car. The officer also reportedly found scales and two bags of methamphetamine in a diaper bag. In addition, prescription drugs were found in the vehicle.

Arrested were Dustin Wayne Keeton, 30, of Pell City on possession of drug paraphernalia and Rachel Susan Gantt of Gardendale on unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Gantt’s bond will be $5,000 and was to be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail.

Denham said a child was also in the vehicle and that the state Department of Human Resources is aware of the case.

At about 12:30 p.m., an officer made another routine traffic stop on Decatur Highway north and Moncrief Road. A closer inspection of the vehicle revealed an item containing a white powder that tested positive for methamphetamine on a field test.

The officer arrested the driver, Joanie Faye Yarbrough, 28, of Dora on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Denham said officers found another bag of methamphetamine in her back pocket. She also reportedly had ingredients to make the drug in the trunk of her car.

Denham said Yarbrough was also driving with a revoked driver license and had an outstanding warrant through the Sumiton Police Department.

She was also expected to be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail on $5,000 bond.



— Adam Smith