THOMASVILLE — A U.S. 19 South motel was the scene of several drug arrests and the seizure of U.S. currency and a vehicle.

Following up on complaints about foot traffic to a room at the motel and a tip about drug sales there, Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division agents approached the room.

Helen Asbell, 48, 715 N. Pine Tree Blvd., answered the motel room door when agents knocked. Officers smelled marijuana burning in the room, said Kevin Lee, division commander.

Lee said Herbert Dewayne Gilbert, 29, 419 Magnolia St., appeared to be flushing something down the toilet in the bathroom.

Another person in the room, Cary Levard Clark, 47, 209 Burns St., appeared to have something in his mouth.

“Inside his mouth, he had a glass cocaine-smoking device and a small piece of crack cocaine,” the commander said. Clark is charged with cocaine possession.

Asbell had three plastic wraps of crack cocaine in her pants, along with $1,851 in U.S. currency. She is charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute.

Lee said an investigation showed Gilbert brought the cocaine to the room. The suspect is charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute. After agents found a bag of marijuana in the bathroom, Gilbert was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

While officers were in the room, Eric Devon Scott, also known as Bubba, 33, 210 W. Walcott St., knocked on the door.

Lee said Scott ran when he saw agents. The suspect was caught after a foot chase. Crack cocaine with a street value of $500 was found in Scott’s pants pocket, along with $247 in U.S. currency.

Yet another arrest was made in the motel parking lot.

An agent posted outside saw a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado arrive, with Charlie Will Taylor, 57, 200 Jones St., behind the wheel.

“He got out of the truck and threw down a crack cocaine smoking device,” Lee said.

Taylor is charged with being in possession of drug-related objects. The Silverado was seized.