SOUTHBRIDGE – A report of a driver operating while impaired led to the arrest of a man on drug trafficking charges on Friday, April 23, in Southbridge.
Police responded to the Lebanon Hill Road area at around 8 PM to find a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road, impeding traffic.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, as officers approached, the vehicle began slowly rolling forward and then slow to a stop. Officers realized the vehicle was still in drive and ordered the driver, James Sowles, 56, of Dorchester, to put the vehicle in park. Officers eventually reached into the vehicle to put it in park.
Sowles was sweating profusely and unable to follow instructions, according to police. When asked to exit the vehicle, he was unsteady on his feet and had difficulty standing.
Officers determined Sowles was intoxicated and arrested him.
During a search of the vehicle, police discovered over 33 grams of methamphetamine packaged for distribution, $173,670 in cash, a digital scale, and other packaging materials.
Sowles was held on $25,040 cash bail and arraigned in Dudley District Court on Monday for charges of:
- Trafficking in methamphetamine;
- Operating under the influence of drugs; and
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
