On Sunday, Dec. 26. Poplar Bluff Police Officer Brentyn Clark conducted a traffic stop on a white moped near the intersection of North 11th and Harper Streets in Poplar Bluff after the driver failed to stop for a posted stop sign. The driver was identified as 59-year-old Phillip Hopson of Poplar Bluff.
The Poplar Bluff Police Department had previously received information from anonymous sources that Hopson was selling illegal narcotics in Poplar Bluff and was using a white moped to facilitate the drug transactions. The anonymous sources also indicated that Hopson, a previously convicted felon, was known to be armed with a handgun.
During the stop, a search of Hopson’s person and the moped were conducted. As a result of the search, approximately 100 grams of suspected marijuana, approximately 14 grams of suspected methamphetamine, various items of drug paraphernalia, approximately $2,300 in cash and a handgun were seized.
Hopson was placed under arrest without incident, and transported to the Poplar Bluff Police Department where he was booked for two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by certain persons. Hopson was subsequently lodged in the Butler County Justice Center and is being held on a $100,000 bond for the delivery of a controlled substance charges, and has a no bond probation violation hold.
A press release from the Poplar Bluff Police Department stated, “Chief (Danny) Whiteley would like to thank his officers for their diligence and commitment to protecting our community and their continuous effort to make our community a safer place to live.”
The press release also noted an increase of drugs containing Fentanyl being distributed in Poplar Bluff, which has contributed to a rise in accidental overdose deaths. It was unclear if the narcotics found on Hopson were laced with Fentanyl.