Left to right: Nicholas Harding, Cheryl Russell, and David Pickens

(KAIR)--A substantial amount of methamphetamine.

That's what Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie said was found during a Thursday afternoon traffic stop. “When you get into over a half-ounce, which in this case was over a half-ounce of methamphetamine, that is typical of distribution of methamphetamine, or to be redistributed at that point. It's substantial for Atchison, for sure.”

Three arrests came as a result of the stop, made due to traffic violations, an underway investigation, and the knowledge that two of the vehicle's occupants were wanted on warrants.

Laurie said 25-year-old David Pickens, 38-year-old Cheryl Russell, and 30-year-old Nicholas Harding, all of Atchison, now face charges following the stop that was made on U.S. Highway 73, near Thomas Road. “[Deputies] followed them into Leavenworth and then were able to keep an eye on them so when they were coming back into Atchison they were able to make a traffic stop on them at that point.”

Pickens faces charges for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also arrested for a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant for parole violation

Laurie said Russell and Harding both face charges in connection to the investigation for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Harding was also arrested for two Atchison County District Court warrants for failure to appear in court.

All three were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

The Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation.