Cordele police make second drug trafficking arrest in a month

CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) – Officers with the Cordele Police Department made an arrest following a traffic stop on Sunday, May 5th.

Shortly after midnight, officers responded to the southbound exit ramp of I-75 at Exit 99 where a caller reported an abandoned vehicle parked in the roadway, according to police.

When officers arrived, they found 25-year-old Triston Stephen of Ashburn sleeping in the driver’s seat. Officials say Stephens was believed to be under the influence and was arrested shortly after the contact was made.

Officers searched the vehicle and then found individual bags of suspected methamphetamine that collectively weighed over 9 ounces.

In addition to methamphetamine, a mushroom-like substance was also found. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) responded and assisted in the investigation.

Stephens was arrested and taken to the Crisp County Law Enforcement Center after being booked and processed by the Cordele Police Department.

According to police, Stephens is charged with driving under the influence, improper pavement stopping and driver failure to exercise due caution.

This is the second human trafficking case that Cordele police have investigated in a month.

The first case occurred on Sunday, April 14, when police arrested 48-year-old Lesteria Dean after he attempted to flee a traffic stop.

Dean sped away and crashed into another citizen’s vehicle containing a father and son. According to officials, no one was injured in the crash. He then tried to escape on foot, but was quickly arrested by pursuing officers.

He was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of oxycodone, reckless conduct, drug possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a housing project, obstruction, tampering with evidence, fleeing and attempting to elude police, and abandoning certain dangerous drugs.

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