Two arrested on drug, gun charges

The Ponca City Police Department reports a search warrant yielded two arrests, a stolen gun out of Creek County, 42.1 grams of cocaine and 42 tablets of ecstasy on Thursday.

Officers went to a home in the 1600 block of South Ninth Street at approximately 9:17 a.m. Thursday. Lakresha Lashay Bell, 27, and Byron Jay Lawson, 28, were arrested.

The street value of the cocaine is approximately $5,000 and the hand-pressed MDMA — or ecstasy’s — street value is about $800, police said. A 9mm handgun found at the home had been reported stolen in April of this year, police said.

Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug consumed in recreational drug use. Effects of MDMA, or ecstasy, include increased empathy, euphoria and heightened sensations. When taken by mouth, effects begin after 30 to 45 minutes and last three to six hours. Adverse effects of use include addiction, paranoia, and difficulty sleeping, police said.

Cocaine is a strong stimulant. It is commonly snorted, inhaled or injected into the veins. It may cause loss of contact with reality, an intense feeling of happiness or agitation. Physical reactions include a fast heart rate, sweating and large pupils. High doses can result in very high blood pressure or body temperature. Effects begin within seconds to minutes of use and last between five and 90 minutes. Cocaine is very addictive, police said.

Both Bell and Lawson were booked into the Ponca City jail on charges of: trafficking cocaine, trafficking ecstasy, knowingly concealing stolen property, maintaining a dwelling where drugs are sold, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Lawson’s additional charge was for being in possession of a firearm after felony conviction.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are likely, police said.

Lakresha Bell and Byron Lawson were arrested Thursday morning. A picture of the hand stamped ecstasy tablets that were seized – the stamp mimics the cartoon character Decepticon from the Transformers.