Bad driving leads to drug bust at Wal-Mart Carmel woman, 18, charged with possession

A call from an off-duty police officer Tuesday night led to the arrest of a Carmel woman in the parking lot of the Brewer Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Kara Cookson, 18, was stopped by police at 5:30 p.m. after a Holden police officer reported her driving hazardously in the store parking lot, according to police.

Cookson consented to a search of her vehicle and police found two prescription pills and drug paraphernalia.

One pill was identified as Neurontin, an anti-convulsion drug, and the other as clonazepam, an anxiety medication. Both drugs are known to be abused in the area, according to police.

Cookson was arrested and charged with possession of a Schedule C drug. She already had been charged last week with possession of drug paraphernalia and transportation of liquor by a minor, according to police.

A Bangor man was summoned for marijuana possession Monday night after police spotted his car in a Front Street parking lot known for drinking and drug use.

At 11:30 p.m., Sgt. Thomas Reagan smelled marijuana coming from the car, driven by Neil Lyons, 19, of Bangor, and asked Lyons for identification, according to police reports. Lyons provided a Florida identification card.

Reagan saw a bag containing marijuana inside the car and searched the vehicle with the help of another officer and a police dog, according to reports. Another bag of marijuana and several pieces of drug paraphernalia were seized.

The city-owned lot is not lighted and frequently is the scene of drug use and drinking, according to police reports.

Lyons was issued a summons and told not to drive because his license is suspended.

An employee of the University Credit Union in Bangor discovered a counterfeit $10 bill on Monday.

Police were called to the Union Street business at 9:22 a.m. and took the bill as evidence, according to police reports.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Jackie Farwell