April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Hope woman arrested on drug-dealing charges
By Hope Police Department-
On Saturday, Dec. 31st at approximately 10 p.m. Hope Police Officer Jason Tucker conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Victoria Copeland, 23, of North Huffer Road, for a traffic violation.
After speaking to Ms. Copeland, Officer Tucker developed probable cause to request a K9 unit to conduct a free sniff of her vehicle.
Upon arrival, K9 Duke immediately alerted to the passenger side of the pickup truck, near the fender well and at the front passenger door.
Upon searching the vehicle a large suitcase was located in the rear of the truck, directly above where K9 Duke alerted. Inside the zippered suitcase were clothes Ms. Copeland stated were hers as well as two(2) zippered make-up cases. In one of the cases approximately 10 grams of marijuana, 1 gram of meth and paraphernalia were located. A set of scale were also located.
Upon searching the interior of the vehicle, a purse identified by Ms. Copeland as hers was lying on the front seat containing, Lorazepam, Xanax and additional marijuana as well as a large sum of cash.
Ms. Copeland was arrested and charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine, Dealing in Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Scheduled I or II Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Officer Tucker was assisted by a drug recognition expert officer from the Columbus Police Department in evaluating Ms. Copeland. She was remanded into custody at the Bartholomew County Jail.[[In-content Ad]]
