DEXTER — Two area residents were arrested in Dexter after a traffic stop resulted in the seizure of suspected methamphetamine from an alleged stolen vehicle.
Dexter Patrolman Derrick Durall, with assistance from Patrolman Dwain Forshee, conducted a traffic stop on Saturday in the 800 block of Sassafras Street, according to police Capt. Hank Trout.
During the investigation, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Chad M. Goza, was found to have active Scott County warrants for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of fewer than 10 grams of marijuana and driving while revoked/suspended, Trout said in a new release.
The vehicle, Trout said, had been reported stolen by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.
Trout said K-9 officer Thomas Forkum and his K-9, Knox, responded and assisted in the investigation.
“During the search of the vehicle, K-9 Knox alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle,” Trout said.
Approximately 13 grams of suspected methamphetamine and other alleged drug paraphernalia were found inside the vehicle, Trout said.
Goza, 43, of Cape Girardeau and his passenger, Deana M. Latham, 29, of Sikeston were arrested.
Both were charged with the felonies of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Goza and Latham are being held in the Stoddard County Jail on $25,000 and $50,000 cash bonds respectively.
Trout described the K-9 as a “great asset for our department and surrounding agencies.”
K-9 Knox, he said, also has assisted in three other investigations, resulting in six drug arrests.