MT. VERNON, IL — Two Mt. Vernon residents were arrested just after 7 Monday morning on gun and drug charges.

Members of the Mt. Vernon Police Department / Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Joint Narcotics Unit assisted the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force at a home on E. Saddle Club Road in Belle Rive (18526 E. Saddle Club Rd) with the execution of arrest warrants for the primary residents, 45-year-old Darren D. Edmison and 36-year-old Amber M. McCowen. The warrants were for prior Jefferson County Controlled Substance Trafficking charges. During service of the warrants, evidence of criminal activity was observed inside the home.

The Narcotics Unit obtained a search warrant for the residence and upon execution and search, discovered Edmison and McCowen were in possession of meth and stolen firearms. The two were transported to the Jefferson County Justice Center where Edmison was charged with Armed Violence, Possession with the intent to deliver 5-15 grams of Methamphetamine, Possession of a stolen firearm, and the previously mentioned warrant. McCowen was also charged with Armed Violence, Possession with intent to deliver 5-15 grams of Meth, and taken into custody based on the previously mentioned warrant.

Edmison and McCowen were held in jail until their pre-trial detention hearing.