The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department arrested two area women earlier this week after deputies responded to several complaints of suspicious activity in the area of Legal Tender Road and County Road 600 South.

Judy Jackson, department spokeswoman, says that Deputy Andrew Densford was patrolling the area Monday night when he saw a van travel left of the center line. Upon stopping the van and speaking with the driver, 38-year-old Clarissa Powers, of Grammer, Deputy Densford recognized the passenger as 29-year-old Lovely Brown, of North Vernon. Brown was wanted on a Jennings County warrant. After arresting Brown, Columbus Police and K-9 Max arrived. Max reportedly alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from inside the van. Police allegedly found that Powers had a plastic baggie of marijuana inside of her coat. They also reported finding a controlled substance in Brown’s purse.

Powers was arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana. She has since been released. Brown was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, along with the outstanding warrant. She was then transported to Jennings County.