A Thomaston man and woman were arrested in the early morning hours of November 30 in the parking lot of the Rockmart Smart Mart after Polk County Police’s K-9 Joep sniffed out drugs in their vehicle, according to the arresting officer and Joep’s partner, Josh Smith.

Smith reported that he and another officer were in the parking lot when the two were spotted and questioned and their stories weren’t lining up, and after Smith was given the license of another man by one Keith Edward Shumate of a Thomaston, Ga., address, and had reasonable suspicions to get Joep into action and let the K-9 see if he could sniff anything.

“He does the rest, he’s the real hero,” Smith said.

Smith said that Shumate and Jaquline Washington, also of a Thomaston address, were taken into custody and remained in jail without bail on felony drug charges after Joep helped police find 12 ounces of methamphetamine, more than two ounces of marijuana, 10 hydrocodone pills, 10 THC vape vials and other paraphernalia used in drug sales.

Both suspects are facing charges of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine, possession with intent, drugs not in the original container and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Shumate also faced charges of giving false name, address, birthdate to law enforcement officer. Washington also faced charges of having drugs near a park or housing project.

Bond had not yet been set for either Shumate or Washington at this time.