SALEM–A drug investigation led to two arrests and the recovery of narcotics Tuesday.

Officers on patrol in the area of South Union Avenue and Maple Street conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at 8:48 p.m., and after speaking with the occupants K-9 Chaz was deployed to conduct an open air sniff around the vehicle, alerting to the presence of narcotic odor. When officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle the passenger, Jason Sorrell, 50, Beloit, handed officers contraband while they were outside of the vehicle. After further investigation the driver was released with a written warning for the traffic violations and Sorrell was taken into custody and transported to the police department for processing prior to transport to the Columbiana County Jail charged with illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, with additional charges pending drug results.

All information regarding the incident was turned over to the Columbiana County Drug Enforcement Task Force, and according to a statement posted on the police department’s Facebook page a search warrant was subsequently executed by the Salem and Perry Township police departments and the Columbiana County Drug Enforcement Task Force in the 500 block of East Pershing Street. When officers executed the warrant “additional narcotics paraphernalia and drug abuse instruments were seized,” with the “collective efforts of the Salem patrol officers and the Drug Task Force yield[ing] the recovery of approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine.”

The warrant also led to the arrest of Melissa Brink, 44, Salem, who was charged with illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and third-degree felony tampering with evidence in Columbiana County Municipal Court.

“Thank you to The Columbiana County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance and time in this matter,” read the statement.