Columbia man arrested for felony drug distribution

On Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a theft call at 900 Vandiver Drive. When officers finished the report, they were walking by a different room and William Barrett opened the door and went to leave, when officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana.

William Barrett allowed officers to search his backpack. Officers found a digital scale with tested positive for heroin and cash. Officers searched his room and found several used syringes and cotton swabs in a case.

As officers were searching the case, Barrett dropped a marijuana cigar on the floor and a clear baggie at the officers’ feet that contained 1.5 grams of white rock substance, which tested positive for heroin. Officers arrested William Barrett, and before putting him in a holding cell, searched his person. An officer found a clear baggie
in his underwear with 14.5 grams of a white rock substance that tested positive for heroin.

Officers served a search warrant on the room and found a clear baggie with one gram of heroin, a digital scale, clear plastic baggies and a handgun.

Barrett was arrested for misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, felony unlawful distribution of controlled substance , felony unlawful for certain persons to possess concealed weapon and misdemeanor use or possession of drug paraphernalia.