Police: LaPlace nap leads to drugs arrest

Published 12:10 am Wednesday, August 30, 2017

LAPLACE — A LaPlace gas station snooze led to numerous felony drug charges for a St. Charles Parish woman, authorities said.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the LaPlace RaceTrac at approximately 9:30 a.m. Sunday in reference to a female subject sleeping in the parking lot, identifying the suspect as 49-year-old Melissa Ann Sanamo of Montz.

Police said a computer search showed Sanamo had an active warrant for possession of methamphetamines.

Sanamo voluntarily consented to a search of her vehicle, according to the Sheriff Office, leading to the discovery of “a pipe commonly used for smoking a variety of drugs” with an unknown residue inside and a plastic bag containing Xanax.

Sanamo was booked with felony possession of Xanax, possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia 1st offense (misdemeanor) and felony possession of methamphetamine less than 28 grams. As of Tuesday morning, she was being held in custody in lieu of a $5,500 bond.