A traffic stop on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 1:13 P.M. led to the discovery of methamphetamine and chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. A deputy stopped a man in New Westville after observing him operating a vehicle. The deputy knew the driver and knew that his Ohio license was suspended.
After noticing several indicators, the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was called to assist and subsequently alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search led deputies to find a white powder, several drug pipes and a small amount of marijuana. It was during this search that Dep. Matt Lunsford located a 20 ounce water bottle with a plastic hose coming out of it. The bottle contained suspected chemicals to make anhydrous ammonia. During the search, the lid came off of the bottle and Lunsford was exposed to the gas. He was treated at the scene by Northwest Fire & EMS for skin irritation.
Deputies placed the suspect under arrest. His vehicle was towed to the Sheriff’s Office where deputies located approximately 3.5 to 4.0 grams of methamphetamine, drug pipes, coffee filters, digital scales, plastic baggies and syringes. Deputies also located hydrocodone pills, a pill crusher and other drug paraphernalia.
The suspect, age 40 of New Paris, was housed in the Preble County Jail and charged with the following:
Aggravated Drug Possession, 3rd degree felony
Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for Manufacture of Drugs, 3rd degree felony
Possession of Criminal Tools, 4th degree felony
Operating Vehicle While Under Influence of Drugs, 1st degree misdemeanor
Driving Under Suspension, 1st degree misdemeanor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 4th degree misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, minor misdemeanor
Evidence collected will be submitted to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab in Dayton for analysis. Dep. Brad Moore, who conducted the traffic stop, was assisted by Dep. Matt Lunsford, K-9 Brit, and Capt. Dean Miller.
