[StBernard] West Bank couple arrested in Arabi with $3, 800 in crack cocaine

[Westley Annis]

West Bank couple arrested in Arabi with $3,800 in crack cocaine

A West Bank couple was arrested in Arabi with more than 1-1/4 ounces of
crack cocaine wrapped in 100 small bags and valued at about $3,800 on the
street, St. Bernard Sheriff Jimmy Pohlmann said Thursday. The Sheriff's
Office also seized $3,000 in cash from the couple, during a traffic stop on
St. Bernard Highway. 

It was the largest crack cocaine arrest in St. Bernard in several months,
totaling 38 grams, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Michael Powell, 36, of Westwego, and Odette L. Patterson, 37, of Gretna,
were arrested Tuesday about 5:40 p.m. after allegedly was selling the drugs
in the parish. Each was booked with possession with intent to distribute
crack cocaine and possession of more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. Powell
also was booked with traffic offenses, including improper lane use and
failure to use a turn signal.

Powell was being held in St. Bernard Parish jail on Thursday morning in lieu
of bond set at $68,000, and Patterson in lieu of $65,000 bond.

They were stopped at the intersection of West St. Bernard Highway and Rowley
Boulevard, and the drugs were spotted in Patterson's open purse and in
bottles on Powell and otherwise inside the car, the Sheriff's Office said.
The drugs were packaged in bags ranging in values of $100 to $20, and
Patterson had more than $3,000 in cash in his wallet, according to the
Sheriff's Office.