Eric T. Patterson, 27, of 115 Boundary St., Portsmouth is facing charges of suspension and trafficking in drugs containing cocaine after Portsmouth Police Officers observed what they said was a drug deal around 5:11 p.m. Wednesday.

In a report filed by Portsmouth Police Officer Christopher Hedrick, police reportedly received a call concerning a drug deal that was to take place at the corner of Sixth Street and Offnere Street in Portsmouth.

Police said the transaction was to involve a Portsmouth woman, so Hedrick sat in his cruiser in the 1400 block of Sixth Street and waited.

The report said the woman arrived in a grey Ford Crown Victoria, got out of her car and got into the passenger side of Patterson's silver Chevrolet Impala.

Police said two minutes later she got out of that car and back into the car she arrived in.

Police said they moved in, but Patterson's vehicle had cleared the parking lot and started down Sixth Street.

Officers pulled him over in the 600 block of Lincoln Street, and after running his license, found he was operating the car while under ALS (Administrative License Suspension) and was arrested on that charge.

Police then talked to a woman who had allegedly driven the woman making the transaction to the scene. Based on her statements and observation by police officers, Patterson was additionally charged with trafficking in cocaine.

The woman involved in the transaction was identified as Angela Bailey, and officers transported her to Southern Ohio Medical Center because of an alleged ingestion of crack cocaine. She was issued a summons on a drug paraphernalia charge.

"We will be taking it before the (Scioto County) Grand Jury and charging her with tampering with evidence and possession of crack cocaine," Portsmouth Police Captain David Thoroughman said.

Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101 Ext. 232.