It didn’t take long for the third canine unit at the Defiance County Sheriff’s office to pay dividends. All three canines were utilized in recent traffic stops. On December 11th at a location on state route 18, Canine Taiga alerted the vehicle, and suspected cocaine was located. The material is being analyzed for possible cocaine charges against 55 year old Cheryl Delacruz, and 46 year old Sidney Smith, both of Hicksville.
Another traffic stop was made December 14th on the Bend Road near Ney. Again a canine alerted to the vehicle, where marijuana paraphanalia, and suspected methamphetamines were located. 38 year old Mark Deel of Continental was arrested on a probation warrant, and 38 year old Brandy Howard of Ft. Wayne was issued a summons for Possession of Drug Paraphanalia, and other traffic offenses.
That same day, a vehicle was found disabled on Lockwood Road, and 20 year old Larry Bell, III of Defiance was cited for Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphanalia. Some material expected to be methamphetamines was also located, and is being analyzed. Two other canines utilized in the investigations are K-9 Ben, and K-9 Lukka (luke-uh).