RESERVE — Two suspects with a combined history of 47 arrests were incarcerated again this week after authorities said heroin was found in a parked vehicle.

A St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy responded Sunday to the 600 block of Fairway Drive in LaPlace, where the complainant said Garland Cottingham, 33, was at the residence, which violated a protective order.

“(Cottingham) left the residence in the complainant’s car and was driving without a valid driver’s license,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said in a release.

The deputy located the car — which authorities said was occupied by Cottingham and Casey Spies, 30 — parked in the 300 block of Central Avenue in Reserve.

 

The deputy who approached the car saw hypodermic syringes filled with an unknown liquid, Tregre said.

“The deputy field-tested the powder substance on spoons that were found on the floor of the car,” Tregre said. “The powder tested positive for heroin.”

Authorities said one spoon was found on the floor by the driver’s seat, and the second spoon was found on the front passenger’s seat.

Cottingham was booked with violation of protective orders, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, an outstanding warrant for St. Tammany Parish and a violation of probation/parole.

Sgt. Dane Clement said no physical altercation took place at the house where the complainant called from, and no charges were warranted in Cottingham leaving the house in the complainant’s car.

As of press time Friday he remained in St. John custody in lieu of a $17,500 bond set by Judge Madeline Jasmine.

Spies was booked with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As of press time Friday he remained in St. John custody in lieu of a $14,000 bond set by Judge Madeline Jasmine.

Authorities said Spies has been arrested 21 times in St. John Parish since January 2003, and Cottingham has been arrested 26 times in St. John Parish since December 2000.