On Dec. 18, it was reported that two individuals were charged with drug offenses after methamphetamine was found in their vehicle during an Iowa traffic stop. Authorities said that the vehicle was stopped on Dec. 15 after the driver was observed running a red light.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 7:05 p.m. in the 100 block of Village Drive in Tiffin. During the traffic stop, a K-9 officer indicated that there may be drugs in the vehicle. This led to a search of the vehicle. Authorities ultimately recovered about 8.5 pounds of methamphetamine, a small amount of heroin and a small amount of marijuana. The driver was identified as a 38-year-old Indianapolis woman while the passenger was identified as a 54-year-old man.
Both individuals were charged with a felony controlled substance violation, which could result in up to 25 years in prison if they are convicted. Further, the man was charged with weapons-related offenses after being found with a stolen handgun in his possession. He was being held on $105,000 bond at Johnson County Jail while the woman was being held on $100,000 bond.
Felony drug charges can carry serious consequences if a person is convicted on them. Depending on a variety of factors unique to the case, a person convicted on drug possession could be sentenced to prison or be required to undergo rehabilitation. When a person is under investigation for possible drug offenses, a criminal defense attorney may begin working immediately to determine what strategies may be available, including a challenge to the traffic stop for not being made with the required reasonable suspicion.
Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen, “Over 8 pounds of meth found in car after Tiffin traffic stop“, Stephen Gruber-Miller, Dec. 18, 2017
