A routine traffic stop led to charges of trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance for two Troy residents.

Larry Wayne Putnam, 45, was being held on $50,000 bond, and Jessica Lynn Byrd, 28, on a $7,500, both in the Pike County Jail. A narcotics officer stopped the pair in driving in a vehicle with an expired tag on Monday, said Lt. Brian Weed, public information officer for the Troy Police Department.

“One of our narcotic officers stopped a vehicle for a routine violation,” Weed said. “While speaking with them the officer received consent to search the vehicle.”

During the officer’s search, Weed said a container was recovered, which was believed to contain methamphetamine in a liquid, incomplete state. “It had not been turned into powder,” Weed said.

Weed said the jar was in Putnam’s vehicle and contained far more than the 28 grams required by state law for the trafficking methamphetamine charge.

“Byrd was found in possession of a finished meth product,” Weed said, and she was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

The two were being held in the Pike County Jail.

Weed said narcotics officers tried to stay on top of the electronic logs kept by pharmacies.

“Our narcotics guys are extremely proactive,” Weed said. “Pharmacies throughout the state keep a tight record of pseudoephedrine sold. The officers just follow the logs. That’s the best way to identify potential cooks or even people who purchase it to sell to cooks.”

Weed said the logs were instrumental in deterring potential buyers or cooks from purchasing pseudoephedrine.

“The electronic logs are a great tool as far as investigating and deterring potential cooks,” Weed said. “They don’t want their names in the logs, so they’re less likely to purchase the pseudoephedrine.”