Drugs, $48,000 seized in arrest of 2 men

A traffic stop in Morgan City led to the arrest of two men on numerous drug possession charges as well as the seizure of nearly $48,000.
Assistant Chief Michael Banks said Michael L. Miller, 33, of Midland, was arrested at 11:11 p.m. Tuesday for possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (marijuana), possession of Schedule II (oxycodone) with the intent to distribute, possession of Schedule II (methamphetamine) with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A patrolling officer stopped a vehicle driven by Miller after he observed a traffic violation in the area of Sixth Street and Brashear Avenue. During the stop, Miller appeared extremely nervous. A narcotics canine performed a search of the exterior of the vehicle during which she signaled the presence of illegal narcotics, Banks said.
Officers searched the vehicle and located two vacuum-sealed cellophane bags which contained suspected marijuana, he said. Officers also located a substance believed to be methamphetamine and several pills of oxycodone, Banks said.
Miller was detained and arrested. Investigators uncovered evidence which implicated the substances were purchased in the Morgan City area and were destined for sale. The information was used to secure a search warrant for a Belanger Street residence.
During the search, detectives recovered additional evidence. A large amount of marijuana, also sealed in vacuum packaging, was located, he said. Detectives located hashish, methamphetamine, carisprodol, hydrocodone, clonazepam, diazepam and items of drug paraphernalia, Banks said.
Investigators also located several items such as scales, vacuum packaging equipment, dehydrators, packaging and other materials commonly used by narcotics traffickers as well as items commonly used to manufacture synthetic marijuana, the assistant chief said.
Investigators located $47,960 in U.S. currency of various denominations and in varied locations which was partially divided into various valued stacks. The money was seized for pending forfeiture and is believed to be derived from the sale and procurement of illegal narcotics, he said.
According to Banks, during the subsequent verification of the funds, a counterfeit $100 bill was located and removed as evidence.
Jeremiah L. Fuhrer, 39, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:38 a.m. Wednesday for:
—Possession of a Schedule I (marijuana) with the intent to distribute.
—Possession of a Schedule I (hashish).
—Possession of a Schedule II (methamphetamine).
—Possession of a Schedule III (carisprodol).
—Possession of a Schedule III (hydrocodone).
—Possession of a Schedule III (clonazepam) with the intent to distribute.
—Possession of a Schedule IV (diazepam) with the intent to distribute
—Illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of persons under 17.
—Possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Transactions involving the proceeds from narcotics activity.
—Manufacture and distribution of hallucinogenic plant product.
—Monetary instrument abuse.
Miller and Fuhrer were arrested and taken to the Morgan City Police Department where they were booked and jailed. Fuhrer was released after posting $86,000 bail.
The Morgan City Police Department will continue to investigate the incident and make additional arrests if the evidence indicates other subjects were involved, Banks said.