Tennessee woman arrested on meth possession charges

An alert security officer at the Natchez Drive Wal-Mart tipped off police, who arrested a Tennessee woman Monday evening for the possession of two grams of methamphetamine.

Shonda D. Stafford, 37, of Johnsonville, Tenn., was also charged with possession of precursors for the creation of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, not using her turn signal, expired license plate, expired motor vehicle inspection sticker and no driver’s license, said Slidell Police Department spokesman Capt. Kevin Foltz.

Monday afternoon, Slidell police were alerted by Wal-Mart security that Stafford had allegedly purchased a large amount of pseudoephedrine, a common over-the-counter allergy medicine used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, which is a highly addictive stimulant.

Narcotic detectives went to the Wal-Mart, and the security officer pointed out Stafford to them. The detectives followed Stafford out of the store and to her 2000 white Ford Explorer. They continued to tail her in their car. In the 1300 block of Gause Boulevard, Stafford allegedly did not use her left turning signal when making a turn, and officers pulled her over.

Stafford was arrested when she could not produce a driver’s license or any form of identification.

Detectives searched her vehicle and found two grams of methamphetamine. Police also found lithium batteries, coffee filters, crystal drain cleaner, the pseudoephedrine and a propane torch. Foltz said all these materials are commonly used to create and package methamphetamine.

Stafford was booked in Slidell and transferred to the St. Tammany Parish Jail to await a bond hearing.