Drug dog finds meth during traffic stop

A police officer ended up finding drugs after pulling over a car with a mud covered license plate last Thursday.

The car was pulled over in the area of 15900 E. Sprague Ave. and the officer could smell alcohol in the car, Reagan said. A passenger identified as Mary A. Tarola, 19, of Moscow, Idaho, reportedly admitted that she had been drinking, police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

The officer reported that another passenger, 31-year-old Darrin C. Dahl of Kendrick, Idaho, became increasingly agitated, Reagan said. A drug dog was called to search the car and found five small plastic bags of methamphetamine in Tarola’s purse, Reagan said.

Police believe Dahl put the drugs in the woman’s purse while the officer was talking to her about her drinking, Reagan said. Dahl was arrested on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Tarola was charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol and possession of meth.