Two suspected drug dealers in Washington apparently decided the side of a Pierce County road was a good place to take a nap, but deputies just so happened to be nearby.
Around 11 p.m. on Sept. 15, Pierce County deputies were in the 7600 block of East D Street on an unrelated call when they saw a vehicle on the side of the road with two men passed out inside.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said deputies decided to check on the men, and what they saw inside gave them another reason to stay. Deputies said large amounts of cash, small clear baggies, a digital scale, and a white powdery substance were visible inside the vehicle and around the center console.
The 37-year-old male driver and 33-year-old male passenger were eventually woken up and taken into custody after deputies determined the items were consistent with narcotics distribution, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sleeping on the Job
Body camera footage was released by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office on social media, and it shows deputies approaching the vehicle and tapping the window to get the suspects to wake up.
They eventually woke up, although they were very slow to respond. Deputies repeatedly told the driver to step out of the vehicle, and he was taking forever to do so. Tired of waiting, the deputy smashed the window and opened the door, finally getting the driver out and placing him in handcuffs.
A Wake-up Call
After the driver was placed in handcuffs, one of the deputies explained to him that once they saw what was inside the vehicle and the state they were in, he had to take action.
Both men were booked into Pierce County Jail on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to the sheriff’s office. The identities of the driver and passenger weren’t released, so we couldn’t confirm booking time or bond information.
Investigation Continues
Afterwards, the vehicle was towed from the scene while deputies obtained a search warrant as part of the ongoing investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
Another thing to note: deputies did not identify exactly what the suspected controlled substance was or say how much of the white powder was found inside the vehicle.
For deputies, what began as a simple check on two people who were passed on ended with two arrests and a search warrant.
The case remains under investigation, and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.