By RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

Three Portsmouth residents were arrested on various drug charges following a bizarre string of events Tuesday.

According to Portsmouth police, officers from the narcotics unit were conducting surveillance in the 700 block of Second Street Tuesday afternoon when they observed what appeared to be an alleged drug transaction happening in a parking lot between Angela Compton, 34, of 2122 Seventh St., in Portsmouth, and another woman.

Compton drove away and officers stopped the other woman and found her to be holding two 80mg OxyContin tablets in her hand. Compton’s vehicle was stopped in the 400 block of Chillicothe Street and she was allegedly found with four oxycodone tablets and $1,039 cash in her purse. Compton was arrested and charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs.

No arrest information was available for the other woman on Wednesday.

Officers then executed a search warrant at Compton’s residence, where she lives with Jason Compton and two children. During the search, officers reportedly found 23 small baggies of methamphetamines, a set of digital scales and 25 marijuana cigarettes hidden in the garage. Officers also found $4,905 in cash hidden inside the house.

Jason Compton, 34, was arrested for two counts of trafficking in drugs, one count of possession of drugs and one count of possession of criminal tools.

As officers were searching the Compton residence, Stanley Purtee, 43, of 615 Eighth St., in Portsmouth, knocked on the door and asked if Jason or Angela Compton were home.

Purtee allegedly told officers he needed “a 30”, and police told him all they had were 40s. Purtee reportedly told officers all he had was $35, and he gave them the money. The detective walked into the kitchen, then returned and told Purtee that he was a police officer and informed him he was under arrest. Purtee pulled away from the detective and ran out the door, until he was stopped by the officer’s TASER.

Purtee was arrested on charges of attempted possession of drugs and obstructing official business, and was taken to the Scioto County Jail.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or e-mail pdtwriter@ryanscottottney.com.