A Lucasville woman is facing a long list of felony charges after deputies say she tried to swallow crack cocaine during a traffic stop in Portsmouth.
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said detectives conducting a follow-up investigation spotted a woman with an active warrant riding in a vehicle Thursday afternoon.
Detectives stopped the vehicle near 11th and Lincoln Streets around 12:40 p.m.
🚨 DEPUTIES SAY SHE TRIED TO DESTROY THE EVIDENCE
During the stop, investigators allegedly discovered:
- More than 21 grams of crack cocaine
- Scheduled narcotics
- Drug paraphernalia
- A large amount of cash
But according to the sheriff’s office, the most dramatic moment came when the suspect allegedly attempted to swallow a piece of crack cocaine as detectives moved in.
Authorities say detectives quickly intervened and recovered the drug before it could be swallowed.
The woman was taken into custody without further incident.
⚖️ FACING MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES
Brandi Hanley, 41, of Lucasville, was charged with:
- Trafficking in Drugs (F-2)
- Possession of Drugs (F-2)
- Tampering with Evidence (F-3)
- Possession of Drugs (F-5)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-4)
- Probation Violation
Hanley was ordered held without bond and was scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on May 29.
👀 A LONG ROAD OF COURT TROUBLES
Court records show Hanley’s legal troubles stretch back several years.
In 2022, she was charged with drug offenses and domestic violence. She eventually received treatment in lieu of jail, but the case was repeatedly complicated by missed hearings and warrants.
Records show:
- A warrant was issued after she failed to appear in court
- Her original attorney later withdrew from the case
- She was sentenced in 2024 to jail time, probation, and drug treatment requirements
- Additional warrants were issued and later recalled over the following months
- Another warrant was issued earlier this month
⚠️ WHY SWALLOWING DRUGS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA
Police regularly encounter suspects who attempt to hide evidence by swallowing drugs during arrests.
Medical experts warn this can be extremely dangerous.
Even small amounts can cause:
- Overdose
- Choking
- Internal poisoning
- Respiratory failure
- Death
The danger becomes even greater when the substance is unknown, highly concentrated, or packaged in a way that can rupture inside the body.
🚔 TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE OFTEN MAKES THINGS WORSE
Many suspects assume destroying evidence will help them avoid charges.
Instead, prosecutors frequently add additional felony charges for tampering with evidence, creating even more legal trouble than the original offense.
In this case, deputies say the attempted coverup failed—and added another serious charge to an already lengthy list.