K9 sniffs out 10 grand in cocaine
A Michigan man is sitting in the Scioto County jail facing some serious charges after an Ohio State Highway Patrol K9 officer sniffed out close to $10,000 in cocaine during a traffic stop last Thursday.
According to OSHP, just before 5 pm on February 13, troopers stopped a 2015 Chevy Equinox with Michigan plates on U.S. 23 for following too close. Troopers thought the occupants were showing signs of criminal behavior and decided to have a drug-sniffing K9 officer check things out. The dog sniffed out something suspicious and alerted troopers who then conducted a probable cause search.
While searching the vehicle, troopers his the contraband jackpot, finding 98 grams of cocaine. That much cocaine has a street value of $9800.
The passenger, Clay N. Richbow, 39, of Detroit was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. That’s a first-degree felony. Troopers say he’s looking at up to 11 years in prison and a possible $20,000 fine for his crime.
Richbow appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court on February 14 and was found to be indigent.
The $25 fee for him to obtain a court-appointed attorney was waived and a public defender was appointed.
His preliminary hearing was set for today, February 20, at 10 am.