Published: October 12, 2009 09:10 am      

K9 sniffs out cocaine, morphine

Dog helps Williamsburg police make two drug possession arrests

By Adam S. Sulfridge / Staff Writer

Crime was in the air late Thursday night, and Williamsburg police say the well attuned nose of the department’s K9 unit helped remove cocaine, morphine, and other drugs from the community.

Beginning with a walk-up complaint by a concerned citizen, Chief Wayne Bird began searching for a reckless driver who was possibly under the influence. Chief Bird located the vehicle traveling north on I-75. According to a press release, the vehicle was “weaving in and out of its lane.”

After stopping the vehicle, Bird noticed the subjects acted unusually nervous, which raised his suspicions. He then requested assistance from K9 Officer Brandon Prewitt and his partner Rico. While circling the vehicle, Rico alerted his handler to the left side rear door. Upon searching the subject sitting at that location, police reportedly found a wrapper filled with a white powdery substance in the man’s jacket pocket. The substance is believed to be cocaine.

Arrested at the scene was George E. Ingram, 54, of Cynthiana, Ky. He was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

Later that night, Whitley County Sheriff Deputies Dennis Foley and Dorman Patrick stopped to provide assistance to a vehicle stopped along Hwy 25. The female driver of the vehicle appeared to be very nervous and reportedly tried to distance herself from the deputies.

Deputy Foley requested K9 assistance, and Rico alerted the possible presence of drugs inside the vehicle. A search revealed two vials of liquid morphine, a Licocane patch, four syringes, a small straw, a smoking pipe, and a bag containing a leafy green substance believed to be marijuana.

Officer Prewitt arrested Mellissa Johnson, 40, of Williamsburg. She is charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and first offense possession of drug paraphernalia.

K9 unit Rico successfully tracked a subject through the woods, where police found a large amount of what’s believed to be methamphetamine. Williamsburg Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson explained that Rico is a “triple threat” since he’s trained in drug detection, tracking, and patrol apprehension.