-from franklincountycitizen.com-

Lavonia Police and the Piedmont Northern M.A.N.S. Unit arrested a local pair on cocaine and marijuana charges Saturday night in the parking lot of the Best Western Motel.

While on routine patrol on August 26 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Sergeant Ken Ford noticed two people standing outside a 2005 Chrysler 300. As he approached the vehicle, Ford noticed the two had open containers. Upon seeing Ford, one of the loiterers who was later identified as Michael Elliot Smith, 26, of Lavonia, began to run.

Ford was able to apprehend both of the men.

The second man was Benjamin Bernard Morris, 32, of Lavonia.

Ford discovered quantities of illegal drugs and weighing scales also in the 2005 Chrysler 300.

Police Chief Randy Shirley said that his officers called the M.A.N.S. Unit for assistance and further investigation.

Upon testing the found substances, agents confirmed that the illegal drugs were cocaine and marijuana.

Two baggies of cocaine weighing approximately 1/8 of an ounce each, a large zip lock bag of marijuana and the 2005 Chrysler 300 were seized.

Shirley said that both men were no strangers to law enforcement and have been arrested and served time in prison on drug charges.

“Morris has served time in a federal prison for previous drug trafficking charges through Lavonia,” Shirley said. “Smith has also served time for previous drug charges.”

Both men are currently in the Franklin County Jail with no bond.