Two charged in Richlands drug bust

By JIM TALBERT\Staff
TAZEWELL – An Indiana man is in the Southwest Regional Jail in Tazewell after police caught him with cocaine April 8.
Police Chief W.A. Puckett said David Wayne Clausen, 48, of 860 South 2506 Knox, Indiana, was apprehended at a local mobile home park. Puckett said Clausen was in possession of 65 grams of Cocaine.
Officers estimate the street value of the cocaine at $6,500. Police are seeking 33-year-old Melissa Sue Carter in connection with the same incident. Puckett said Carter allegedly injected herself with some kind of drug when police arrived.
She was taken by ambulance to Clinch Valley Medical Center and placed in intensive care. Puckett said Carter fled the hospital after being moved from ICU to a regular room.
Warrants charging possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and being a fugitive from justice have been obtained for Carter. The chief said Carter is also wanted in Indiana.
He said police seized a 2000 Infinity Sport Utility Vehicle in connection with the incident. Several other items that have been seized are at the lab for analysis. Clausen is being held without bond.