PHOTO: James Edward Hester (left) of Albertville and Nickey McNew of Crossville (right) were arrested on drug charges after narcotics were found during traffic stops. (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)

By Staff Reports

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, two were arrested last Friday and Saturday (June 16 & 17) on drug charges after a traffic stops.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in the release, "On June 16th K-9 Deputy Akins conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle between Highway 68 and County Road 370 in Crossville.

While Deputy Akins was talking to the driver James Edward Hester, 49 of Albertville, he appeared to be under the influence of a substance. The Deputy asked Hester if he had anything illegal on him or in the vehicle. Hester was found to have a container with methamphetamine inside, on his person. At that time the DeKalb County Drug and Major Crimes Unit was called. Hester was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

In a separate incident: "On June 17th, a Crossville Police Officer called the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and advised them that they had Nickey McNew, 45 of Crossville, whom we had been looking for on an Alabama Department of Corrections warrant. The Crossville Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on McNew on Highway 68 and Graves Street in Crossville.

A silver object with meth inside and three syringes was found inside McNews vehicle. McNew was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and is being held for Alabama Department of Corrections for their warrant.

Sheriff Harris said of the arrests, “the County Deputies and Police Officers continue to work day and night to rid this County of drugs and the use of drugs.”