On Thursday, May 2, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO) narcotics detectives arrested James Niel Swain, 46, a resident of Highway 1077 in Folsom.

According to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley, Swain was traveling east on Highway 438 in Washington Parish when he committed a traffic offense. After the traffic stop, Swain exited his vehicle, leaving the driver’s side door open. Officers approached the car and noticed a clear plastic bag containing methamphetamine in plain view on the floorboard.

Haley said that narcotics officers then searched the vehicle, finding a bag on the rear seat. The bag contained additional methamphetamine, a digital scale, and small clear plastic baggies commonly used to distribute illegal narcotics.

Swain was booked into the Washington Parish Jail charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $25,000 and he was released on May 6 after meeting the conditions of his bond.

Sheriff Randy Seal complimented the narcotics officers for making the arrest.

“Obviously, Mr. Swain felt he could drive up from St. Tammany and sell drugs in Washington Parish without any consequence,” Seal said. “Not so. Our narcotics detectives continuously work throughout the parish to identify and arrest anyone who is involved in the illegal drug trade. This was a good arrest which took meth out of our community and put a drug dealer in jail where he belongs.

“If you are involved in the illegal drug trade in Washington Parish, you may be the next one to be placed in cuffs and transported to jail. Our jail is never too full. We always have room for one more.”