2,000 pills of Ecstasy found near Eufaula

From staff reports

Published: July 11, 2008

Barbour County deputies arrested a Florida man Wednesday morning after he was reportedly found with 2,000 Ecstasy pills.
According to a press release from the county sheriff’s department, just after 11 a.m. deputies stopped a 2002 Honda Accord traveling south on U.S. Highway 431 near Eufaula for two traffic violations.
“Deputies became suspicious when the suspect, identified as Joshua Godwin Parish, 21, of Marianna, Fla., contradicted himself about the reason and duration of his trip to Atlanta,” the release stated.
“Deputies also detected the strong odor of Marijuana coming from the vehicle interior while speaking with a ‘very nervous’ Parish.”
The release states that deputies searched the vehicle and found two half-gallon vacuum-sealed bags containing approximately 1,000 hits each of Ecstasy tablets hidden inside the vehicle in clothing. Deputies also recovered a small amount of “high-grade” marijuana from the vehicle’s interior.
The traffic stop was made by Sheriff Leroy Upshaw. Chief Deputy Eddie Ingram, Deputy Paul Motzenbecker and Sgt. Randy Morris of Jemison assisted Upshaw with the search and arrest of Parish.
“On the street Ecstasy tablets sell for about $25 - $30 each, so this guy stood to make a lot of money if he hadn’t got caught,” Upshaw said.
Parish is being held at the Barbour County Jail without bond under charges of trafficking a controlled substance and second-degree possession of marijuana.
Trafficking arrest
Deputies also arrested a Florida man Tuesday evening on a trafficking charge.
Brannon Lee Gray, 22, of Panama City, Fla., was stopped at approximately 8:10 p.m. traveling south on U.S. Hwy. 431, just north of Eufaula. According to a press release from the department, they initially stopped him for suspicion of DUI.

“Deputies detected the strong odor of green marijuana emanating from the vehicle interior which prompted deputies to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle,” the release states. “Deputies discovered approximately three pounds of green marijuana, a set of scales and other drug paraphernalia hidden underneath a rear seat in the truck.”
Ingram, Motzenbecker and Morris made the stop and arrest.
Gray is being held at the Barbour County Jail with no bond and his vehicle will be seized by the department.