Officers were called to Alcovy Road in the early morning hours of June 18, after several patrons of America’s Best Family Inn complained to employees about men doing drugs in their hotel room.

The Covington Police officers were pointed to two different rooms — 216 and 133 — and headed to room 216 first. They knocked on the door and spoke with the occupant who reportedly admitted he had been smoking marijuana with his cousin who was now downstairs in room 133.

Officers located room 133 and knocked on the door. While standing outside the room the officers could reportedly see smoke coming from under the door of the room and could smell the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the room as well. They knocked on the door and saw several people peek out the window but then quickly close the curtains back. The occupants seemed unwilling to open the door to the room. After knocking several times, 20-year-old Orlando Abernathy opened the door.

According to reports, the smoke in the room was so thick officers "could barely see inside the room." Four men were found in the room and one was in the bathroom. Officers reportedly saw a small amount of green leafy substance, believed to be marijuana, on the table by the door, and when they asked the young men if it was marijuana they reportedly confirmed that it was. There were also several beer cans and alcoholic beverages scattered around the room.

The individuals in the room allegedly told officers they were "just hanging out in the room, drinking and blazing." Consent was given to the officers to search the hotel room and they reportedly located more suspected marijuana, many empty and half-full cans of alcoholic beverages and a fully loaded Glock 10 mm semi-automatic pistol, which was allegedly thrown into a trash can by the bathroom.

When asked about the drugs, alcohol and hidden firearm none of the men would claim possession of any of it, according to reports. All five of the men were taken into custody at that time. They were again asked about the marijuana and still no one would claim the drugs, all five stating that none of the items found in the room belonged to them. Officers did note that all men appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, each having extremely red eyes and a slow response to questions and moving slowly as well.

Since no one would claim possession of the contraband all were placed under arrest and charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime and obstruction of officers.

Along with Abernathy, officers transported 17-year-old Lamaquis Cooper, 21-year old Terrence Bernard Blackwell, 17-year-old Terrell Martavis Crowder and 17-year-old Pangelo Danissio Grier to the Newton County Detention Center.