A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested a 53-year-old Hazelwood man after reportedly finding a substance believed to be methamphetamine in a pickup the man was riding in that was being driven erratically west of Pevely. The suspect allegedly said the meth belonged to him, authorities reported.
The deputy on Dec. 29 saw a 2017 Nissan Frontier weaving while traveling on Hwy. Z, and the pickup driver continued to weave after turning left onto Cherry Lane. The deputy stopped the pickup near the intersection of Sandy and Church drives, the report said.
The driver allegedly admitted to using a controlled substance earlier in the day but did not show signs of impairment after a different deputy administered field sobriety tests. The driver was released at the scene, according to the report.
While the other deputy was administering the field tests, the deputy who stopped the pickup retrieved his K-9 partner to inspect the exterior of the pickup. The police dog indicated there may be narcotics in the Nissan, the report said.
After the dog completed the inspection, the man who was riding in the pickup allegedly said he had a “large amount” of narcotics in the Nissan. The deputy then found the suspected meth in the Nissan, according to the report.
The Hazelwood man was released at the scene pending the application for a warrant. Capt. Matt Moore said.
Depending on results of the drug analysis, the Sherrif’s Office will seek charges against the man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for possession of a controlled substance, Moore said.