By Shannon Lukens.

 

Hayden Police and Routt County Sheriff’s Officers were able to arrest two people from Pueblo County on suspicion of distributing methamphetamine and some alleged special offender violations for possessing a defaced firearm during drug distribution. The arrest happened Thursday.

 

Hayden Police received a tip from a sheriff’s deputy about the suspected car headed into Hayden. It was stopped for speeding. Then a Routt County Sheriff’s Office canine alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle. A press release from the Hayden Police Department said, “Upon searching the vehicle, approximately 9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, and a loaded 9mm handgun with a defaced serial number were located.”

 

The two suspects have been booked in the Routt County Jail.

 

Press release from Hayden Police Department; March 29, 2024.

HAYDEN POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKES GUN AND DRUG ARRESTS

Hayden, CO—On March 28, 2024, an on-duty Hayden police officer received information from a Routt County Sheriff’s deputy about a vehicle traveling toward Hayden that was suspected of criminal activity. The officer located the vehicle near 6th and Jefferson in Hayden and saw it was speeding. Due to the traffic infraction, verified by the officer’s radar unit, the vehicle was stopped.

While the Hayden officer was tending to the traffic stop for speeding, a Routt County Sheriff’s Office canine deputy arrived and deployed a canine that is certified in narcotics detection. The canine alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, approximately 9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, and a loaded 9mm handgun with a defaced serial number were located.

Two Pueblo County, CO residents were arrested and booked into the Routt County Jail. The driver of the vehicle was charged with the distribution of methamphetamine, while the passenger was charged with the distribution of methamphetamine, a special offender violation for possessing a firearm during drug distribution, and possession of a defaced firearm.

“I am extremely grateful for the teamwork with the Routt County Sheriff’s Office, its deputies, and the canine program,” said Hayden Police Chief Scott Scurlock. “The partnership between the public safety agencies in this region of Colorado is second to none. This is a great example of how a simple traffic stop leads to the seizure of illegal narcotics and a firearm.” Scurlock said that those who commit crimes travel the same roads as our community members, and police agencies often use traffic stops for seemingly minor violations as a legal means to contact these individuals and interdict criminal activity.