Wrong plates lead to drug arrests

By Jimmy Potts, Record Managing Editor
Posted 1/7/16

A motorist stopped for having the wrong license plates and a passenger are facing felony drug charges. Michael Hunter, 47, of Poplar Bluff, and Tonya Smith, 30, of Cape Girardeau, each posted bond on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Wrong plates lead to drug arrests

Posted

A motorist stopped for having the wrong license plates and a passenger are facing felony drug charges.Michael Hunter, 47, of Poplar Bluff, and Tonya Smith, 30, of Cape Girardeau, each posted bond on drug charges stemming from a May 16 arrest.According to a probable cause statement Truesdale Police Officer Josh Malin made contact with Hunter after running his tags and seeing they came up for another vehicle. Warren County Dispatch then alerted Malin that Hunter had an outstanding warrant.During a search, the officer found a small bag filled with marijuana in Hunter’s right pocket, then noticed a black pouch protruding from his waistline, according to the statement. Hunter allegedly told Malin the pouch had methamphetamine in it. Malin searched the bag and found 13 small bags that each field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine, police said.Hunter is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) and failure to properly fasten or maintain license plates.During a follow-up inventory search of Hunter’s vehicle, Malin found a red bag sitting behind Smith’s seat with a glass pipe, which contained a white substance that later field tested positive for methamphetamine. The bag’s location was not the only factor for charging Smith with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. Malin added that it also contained women’s undergarments that he assumed were Smith’s.Both Smith and Hunter have no prior local arrests, police said.Drug Arrest


X