AHOSKIE – A tip from a concerned citizen led to the arrest of two Ahoskie men on drug charges here Monday.

Tracy Levi Jones, 39, and Rod Damin Sims, 40, both listing 500 Snipes Street as their address, were taken into custody by the Ahoskie Police Department.

Jones stands charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine (4 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked. He was taken to the Hertford County Jail under an $11,500 secured bond.

Sims also faces a felony charge of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. Additionally, he was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an open container of alcohol within a motor vehicle. Sims was also jailed under an $11,500 secured bond.

Both men made their first court appearance on Tuesday.

The arrests stemmed from a tip passed along to Ahoskie Police Sgt. Andres Snape.

“That information pertained to Mr. Jones who was allegedly in the process of leaving a residence and that he would be driving on a revoked license,” Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh said. “Sgt. Snape also received information that drugs may be in the vehicle.”

Setting up surveillance, Sgt. Snape observed the suspect vehicle leaving, prompting a vehicle stop performed by Ahoskie Police Traffic Enforcement Officer Dan Flores.

“The driver (Jones) and passenger (Sims) were asked to exit the vehicle,” Chief Fitzhugh said. “At that time, Officer T. Ruffin searched the vehicle where he discovered two clear plastic baggies, one containing a white powder substance and the other containing a white rock-like substance.”

Chief Fitzhugh added that the trunk area of the vehicle was also searched, leading to the discovery of the same type baggies found in the passenger’s area.

“I commend the citizen who passed along this information,” Chief Fitzhugh said. “With citizens working hand-in-hand with our officers, we can make a big dent in the illegal drug trafficking in our town.”