More than a pound of methamphetamine, two guns, and the true identity of a passenger were found after a traffic stop on East Elm Street early Sunday morning.
Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said Monday that at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of East Elm Street, a deputy noticed an orange 2007 Chevrolet Cavalier commit a traffic violation. The deputy stopped the car, which was driven by Sophia Lamas, 34, of Salina, he said.
During the course of the investigation, it was found that Lamas was driving on a suspended license and that a purse in the car held 1.25 pounds of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun, Melander said.
Additionally, a female in the front passenger seat was arrested when the name she gave the deputy turned up with outstanding warrants, however it turned out that the woman had given the deputy the name of someone else who happened to have outstanding warrants, Melander explained. Turns out the passenger really was Joanna Deniston, 29, of Salina, he said.
A second gun, allegedly associated with Deniston, also was located in the car, Melander said.
Lamas was arrested on suspicion of the following, Melander said.
Distribution of a controlled substance
No tax stamp
Interference with a law enforcement officer
Criminal use of a firearm by a controlled substance abuser
Driving while a habitual violator
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Improper vehicle registration
Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license
Unsafe turning or stopping
One outstanding warrant
Deniston was arrested on suspicion of the following, Melander said.
Distribution of an opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant
No tax stamp
Interference with a law enforcement officer
Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Two outstanding warrants of her own