Whitley County couple arrested for methamphetamine trafficking

Two Whitley County residents are behind bars after police found 10 grams of a form of suspected methamphetamine known as “ice,” which is an extremely pure and potent form of the drug.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonas Saunders arrested Benita Smith, who is also known as Benita Hubbard, 40, and James Todd Smith, 40, both of 227 Nannie Hubbard Road, about 1:05 a.m. Thursday charging them with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-methamphetamine, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to their arrest citations.

James Smith was also charged with probation violation, according to the Whitley County Detention Center’s website.

The sheriff’s department executed a search warrant at their residence, and inside the bedroom of the residence found a medium size bag with a crystal substance inside believed to be methamphetamine or “ice,” according to arrest citations.

Also in the bedroom, police found a tin with 5.5 white oval pills believed to be Gabapentin, and two small blue pills believed to be Clonopam. Police also recovered two glass pipes and several hypodermic needles, the citations stated.

Clonopam is used to prevent and treat seizures and panic disorder. Gabapentin, which is sold under the brand name Neurontin, is used to treat partial seizures, neuropathic pain, hot flashes and restless legs syndrome, according to Wikipedia.

Police believe that the pair are trafficking methamphetamine from the residence, Saunders wrote on their arrest citation.

Police also seized $83.

Both were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.