MONTICELLO — A Monticello man will have an initial hearingThursday morning on drug charges after being arrested Wednesday ina drug sting.

Leo Lewis Jr., 40, of Grinstead Lane, Monticello, was chargedwith sale of a controlled substance (powder cocaine) with theintent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance withintent to distribute, said Sheriff Joel Thames.

Thames said Lewis sold an undercover operative a “small amount”of cocaine earlier in the evening. He was arrested by sheriff’sdeputies later that night at around 1:40 a.m. Wednesday on Highway27 North south of Wanilla.

“The biggest portion of the cocaine was found in the house,”Thames said.

A total of 32 grams of cocaine was seized. The drugs were worthabout $1,300, officials said.

A search of his home by sheriff’s deputies and agents of thePearl River Basin Narcotics Task Force revealed $1,999 in cash andportable digital scales. Lewis’ 1979 Chevrolet Corvette, whichThames said was used in drug deliveries, was also seized.