COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Three individuals were arraigned this week in Branch County 3-A District Court in separate drug cases.
43-year-old Troy Joseph Cook, was arraigned following a narcotics investigation by the Branch County Sheriff’s Department. The arrest resulted from a December 13 search warrant at Cook’s residence where investigators reportedly found methamphetamine, cocaine, scales, and packaging materials. Weeks of surveillance, including trash pulls and traffic stops of individuals leaving the residence, preceded the search. Cook is charged with Felony Controlled Substance – Delivery/Manufacture Methamphetamine, Felony Controlled Substance Delivery/ Manufacture (Cocaine, Heroin or other narcotics less than 50 grams.
A Burlington man faces a felony drug charge following a November traffic stop in Sherwood Township that resulted in the discovery of narcotics. 65-year old Jeffery Scott Riley, was arraigned, on one count of possession of methamphetamine.
According to a police affidavit, Branch County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle for a defective brake light on Blossom Road and found Riley, a passenger, was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. A search of the vehicle subsequently located suspected crystal methamphetamine and a container wrapped in electrical tape inside a shopping bag that had been on Riley’s lap. Riley also faces habitual offender enhancements.
27- year- old Saleh Mohsen Qasem-Hussein, 27, of Coldwater, was also arraigned on this week , in the 3-A District Court on a felony charge of possessing between 50 and 449 grams of a controlled substance. According to court affidavits, the charge stems from a November 2, 2025, traffic stop conducted by the Coldwater Police Department for an insurance violation.
During the stop, Officer Kevin Butters observed a “green soft, clumped substance” on Qasem-Hussein’s leg and inside his mouth. Although the defendant initially claimed the substance was tobacco, he later admitted it was Khat—a plant containing the Schedule 1 narcotic Cathinone—stating he lied because he knew the drug was illegal.
Lab results from the Michigan State Police later confirmed the substance tested positive for Cathinone with a total weight of 144.310 grams.
During the hearing, Judge Brent R. Weigle set bond at $5,000 cash or surety with conditions prohibiting the possession or consumption of controlled substances and requiring random drug testing.
Comments