Photo by Mike Wolanin | The Republic A Columbus Police Department squad vehicle with new updated vehicle wrap.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Columbus resident is in custody for multiple drug offenses following a traffic stop Sunday.
At 8:44 p.m. Sunday, officers with the Columbus Police Department (CPD) conducted a traffic stop near Central Avenue and 12th Street for a moving violation, said Sgt. Skylar Berry, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
During the course of the traffic stop, a CPD police service dog alerted to the odor of drugs coming from the car. The passenger, Dustin Cross, 38, started reaching into a bag and eventually pulled something out in his fist. When officers asked him out of the car, he exited and then brought his fist up and put something in his mouth. Believing that it was drugs, officers took control of Cross and a brief struggle ensued. Cross had something green inside of his mouth, but refused to spit it out. Officers later located a wad of green gum that had foil and fentanyl in it they believe came from Cross’s mouth. Other drugs and paraphernalia were located inside a bag in the car, Berry said.
Cross was transported to the Columbus Regional Hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Bartholomew County Jail where he was preliminarily charged with possession methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, possession of fentanyl, a Level 6 felony, obstruction of justice, a Level 6 felony, resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. The driver was released by officers at the scene.
