This article was originally published in The Examiner on Sept. 15, 2016.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
A Vidor Police Department Street Crimes narcotics investigation in the 1200 block of Fourth St. led to the arrest of four people the night of Sunday, Sept 11, according to the department.
Officers entered with the homeowner’s consent and discovered synthetic marijuana, a water pipe, marijuana roaches, pipes and a homemade smoking bong.
James Presly Burns, 45, Thomas Joseph Denby III, 21, Amber Monique Rogers, 33, and Donna Michele Runnels, 46, were taken into custody under various charges, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and arrest war rants.
“We received some information from the community that these people were selling
synthetic marijuana,” said Sergeant Leonard Smith, who is working on the case. “They sent in pictures of people coming to and from the house.”
Synthetic marijuana use has risen in the last year despite recent hospitalizations
and deaths, according to the CDC.
Sgt. Leonard Smith said that everyone involved so far was over 20, and no minors
appear to be involved at this time.
“The Vidor Police Department Street Crimes Unit is working all tips from the community,” Police Chief Dave Shows said in a statement. “The narcotics investigations stem from citizens getting involved and working together with law enforcement.”
All four suspects were transported to the Orange County Jail.
Eleanor Skelton 