CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A routine traffic stop in Crestview led to a methamphetamine trafficking arrest after a K-9 alerted deputies to narcotics inside a pickup truck, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
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The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said the incident began on February 17 when a white Toyota Tacoma rolled through a stop sign at the intersection of Shoffner Boulevard and Highway 90 East.
Deputy Tanner Zant conducted the traffic stop and made contact with the driver, later identified as Paul Treaster, 49, of Crestview.
During the initial conversation, Mr Treaster reportedly admitted his driver’s license had been suspended since February 9 due to issues related to child support, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies also noticed behavior that raised suspicion when Treaster opened the vehicle door and appeared to attempt to conceal something with his left foot on the driver’s side floorboard, the sheriff’s office said.
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K-9 Deputy Caden Downing soon arrived at the scene with K-9 Vojak.
During a free-air sniff around the truck, Vojak reportedly alerted to the odor of narcotics, providing probable cause for deputies to search the vehicle.
According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies discovered approximately 100 grams of a crystallized substance on the driver’s side floorboard, in the area where Mr Treaster had reportedly been shifting his foot. The substance later tested positive for methamphetamine.
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After being advised of his rights, Treaster reportedly told deputies he did not know anything about the drugs found in the truck.
He reportedly said a friend had been borrowing the vehicle for several days and suggested the methamphetamine likely belonged to that person.
Mr Treaster was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Mr Treaster is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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