Two suspects arrested on drug charges after separate traffic stops

MILLER COUNTY, Ark. — Two men were arrested early Thursday in separate incidents for alleged narcotics possession.

Christopher Orand, 38, of Texarkana, Ark., and Howard Nielson, 56, of Bowie County, were arrested in separate traffic stops, according to a news release from the Miller County Sheriff’s Office.

At 12:19 a.m. Thursday, while on routine patrol, Miller County Deputy Stephen Rhyne conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation on a 1997 Toyota Pickup just off of Highway 237, the press release states.

The driver, identified as Orand, 38, consented to a search, which revealed about 1.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine on his person, according to the press release.

Orand was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and was transported and booked into the Miller County Detention Center where he is being held pending arraignment on that charge, according to the news release.

At 4:07 a.m, Rhyne conducted another traffic stop on a 2013 Toyota Camry just off South State Line Avenue.

The driver, identified as Nielson, was found to be in possession of about 4.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, according to the news release.

The suspected narcotics were found on his person and in a box inside the vehicle, the release states. In addition to the suspected methamphetamine, a small amount of suspected marijuana was also located inside the vehicle.

Nielson was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and was transported and booked into the Miller County Detention Center where he is being held pending arraignment on those charges, according to the news release.